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Meta has announced a new virtual reality headset, and it's called the Quest 3S. As rumored, this is a lower-cost variant of the Meta Quest 3, which we consider the best VR headset for most people, and the entry-level replacement for the popular but aging Quest 2. Meta is aiming it squarely at VR newbies, those upgrading from an older headset and anyone else who's been holding out for a more affordable option if you're thinking about taking the plunge, here's what to know before you pre-order. To make way for the new headset, Meta has discontinued the Quest 2 and more expensive Quest Pro. The company says both headsets will remain available either through the end of the year or until stock runs out. It plans to sell official accessories for the two "for a bit longer," however. The Quest 3, meanwhile, will now include 512GB of storage at its standard $500, giving it another advantage over its new sibling. Previously, the higher-capacity Quest 3 cost $650, while the base model came with 128GB of space. Meta will now sell that 128GB model for $430, but only while supplies last. If you order a 512GB Quest 3 by April 30, you can get the same Batman: Arkham Shadow bundle included with the Quest 3S. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/how-to-pre-order-the-meta-quest-3s-vr-headset-171958398.html?src=rss
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Meta has announced the budget-friendly Quest 3S VR headset at its annual Connect keynote. Rumors have been swirling for months that the company was working on a cheaper follow-up to the impressive Quest 3, and now its here and priced at $300. This is pretty dang close to the original Quest 3, which costs $500. The latest headset uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 processor and boasts 8GB of RAM, so it can easily handle Quest 3 exclusives like the forthcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow. It offers the same full-color passthrough for mixed reality apps and games and ships with the same controllers as last years model. The refresh rate also hovers between 90Hz and 120Hz. Meta The external sensors/cameras also seem nearly identical to the standard Quest 3. There are two RGB cameras to create the stereoscopic color passthrough and four VGA cameras for hand tracking and controller tracking. These also help determine user movements and position in 3D space. Finally, there are two flood LEDs for illumination. So whats the catch? Meta has to make up for that lost $200 somehow. First of all, there are no pancake lenses and theres no 4K content. These look to be the same Fresnel lenses as found with the Meta Quest 2, with a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye and 20 PPD (pixels per degree.) The field of view is also slightly reduced when compared to the regular Quest 3 headset. The storage gets a major hit. The base model comes with 128GB, though theres a 256GB model available for $400. Meta has lowered the price of the 512GB Quest 3 to $500, from $650, so the entry-level 3S features around a quarter of the storage. On the plus side, the battery life is actually a bit better with the Quest 3S when compared to the Quest 3. Meta says it should get around 2.5 hours of use per charge, compared to 2.2 hours with the Quest 3. Theres also a nice little bonus for the holiday season. Customers who orders any Quest 3 or 3S model will get a free digital copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow when its released this October. The company did the same thing with the criminally underrated Asgards Wrath 2 last year. The promotion goes until April. The Quest 3S works with most Quest 3 accessories, which is good news because it also ships with the standard, and totally uncomfortable, headstrap. That Elite Strap is a wise investment, especially the one with the battery. Preorders are open right now and theres a shipping date of October 15. With the pending release of the Quest 3S, Metas phasing out the Quest 2 and the Quest Pro. The Zuck gives and the Zuck takes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-reveals-the-budget-friendly-quest-3s-vr-headset-171843107.html?src=rss
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Meta announced its new mixed reality headset during the 2024 Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday. The Meta Quest 3S will start at $300 and represents a more affordable, yet higher-specced option between the $500 Quest 3 from last year and 2020's (soon to be discontinued) Quest 2. The new model has the same processor as the Quest 3, as well as the same full-color external cameras to enable mixed reality features. The per-eye resolution matches that of the Quest 2, instead of the 4K pixel dimensions of the Quest 3. The 3S is also equipped with Fresnel lenses like the second model the slimmer pancake lenses are reserved for the pricier set. Along with the new device, Meta also announced a price change for the existing Meta Quest 3; It now comes in just one storage capacity, 512GB, but that configuration goes for $500 instead of $650. The Meta Quest 3 is our current pick for the best VR headset overall, so it'll be interesting to see whether the Meta Quest 3S improves upon the previous generation's winning formula of relative affordability combined with useful mixed reality, realistic VR immersion and support for a healthy library of games. Engadget's Devindra Hardawar gave the both the Quest 3 and Quest 2 positive reviews upon their debuts and our verdict on the Quest 3S will come soon, once we've had a chance to test the new set. But if you can't wait until then, here's a quick rundown of how the specs of Meta's three consumer-grade VR headsets compare side by side (while omitting the overly expensive yet underwhelming Quest Pro, which will also go the way of Quest 2 once current inventory runs out). Pre-orders for the Meta Quest 3S open on September 25 and the headset will hits shelves October 15. Meta Quest 2 Meta Quest 3 Meta Quest 3S Price (MSRP) $200 128GB $300 256GB $500 512GB $300 128GB $400 256GB Release date Octover 12, 2020 October 10, 2023 October 15, 2024 Weight 503 grams 515 grams 514 grams Processor Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 RAM 6GB 8GB 8GB Storage 128GB or 256GB 512GB 128GB or 256GB Per-eye resolution 1832 x 1920 pixels 2064 x 2208 pixels 1832 x 1920 pixels Refresh rate 60Hz, 72Hz, 90Hz 72Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz 90Hz, 120Hz Field of view 96 degrees horizontal 90 degrees vertical 110 degrees horizontal 96 degrees vertical 96 degrees horizontal 90 degrees vertical Included controllers Meta Quest 2 Touch Meta Quest Touch Plus Meta Quest Touch Plus Mixed reality cameras 2 x B&W cameras 2 x 4 MP RGB cameras 2 x 4 MP RBG cameras External tracking sensors 2 x B&W cameras 4 x IR cameras 4 x VGA cameras Eye tracking None None None Battery life 2 hours average 2.2 hours average 2.5 hours average Connectivity Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 6E not specified Catch up on all the news from Meta Connect 2024!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/the-meta-quest-3s-vs-meta-quest-2-and-meta-quest-3-finding-a-happy-medium-171820494.html?src=rss
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