Comprehensive Comparison of Quest 3S Specs with Major VR Headsets

The Quest 3S has made its official debut, showcasing a robust Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, which is also a highlight of the popular Quest 3. This blog post dives deep into the Quest 3S comparison with notable VR headsets, providing insights into its specifications and features compared to its competitors in the market.

While a detailed review will follow shortly, it is crucial to emphasize the specification variations between the Quest 3S and other leading headsets currently on the market. Although examining specifications on paper offers helpful perspectives, it’s essential to keep in mind that these numbers do not always reflect the overall user experience.

Quest 3S vs Quest 3: A Detailed Look

Initially, both the Quest 3S and Quest 3 may seem closely aligned due to their shared Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and their color passthrough mixed reality features. However, a closer Quest 3S comparison reveals some significant differences as the Quest 3S employs fresnel lenses and a fixed single-panel display inherited from the Quest 2, making it a more budget-friendly option.

This design choice with fresnel lenses results in a less sharp visual quality than the more advanced Quest 3. Additionally, it contributes to a somewhat bulkier structure. Let’s take a closer look at the differences:

Even though the Quest 3S lacks a headphone jack, it introduces the innovative Action Button, streamlining the process of switching between passthrough and virtual reality experiences—replacing the previous double-tap action.

Another key difference includes the elimination of a depth projector in the Quest 3S, which enhances room meshing in the Quest 3. However, the Quest 3S makes up for this with two IR flood illuminators that boost low-light tracking, enabling smooth head and hand movement tracking under dim conditions.

Quest 3S vs Quest 2: Progress and Upgrades

The Quest 3S comparison with its predecessor, the Quest 2, shows shared elements in display and lens design. However, the Quest 3S has brought significant enhancements, incorporating the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset that delivers more than double the GPU performance of the Quest 2, along with an extra 2GB of RAM.

The device also supports notable features such as color passthrough, infrared emitters, Wi-Fi 6E, and ringless Touch Plus controllers. The advanced chipset allows the Quest 3S to shine in rendering resolution, inside-out tracking, and mixed reality scene meshing.

While the Quest 3S improves on numerous elements from the Quest 2, it does present a few limitations. The absence of a headphone jack means utilizing USB-C for audio output. Additionally, the lack of a proximity sensor means users need to make manual adjustments to enable standby mode.

Quest 3S vs Quest Pro: A Great Alternative

Despite its lower price point compared to the Quest Pro, which debuted two years ago, the Quest 3S competes effectively in various areas. It features the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, which delivers enhanced GPU capabilities and improved resolution passthrough. Furthermore, it benefits from integrated infrared emitters and supports higher refresh rates.

While the Quest Pro showcases various advancements, including enhanced lenses and quantum dot displays for vivid colors, it comes at a considerably higher price point. Users seeking a cost-efficient model packed with incredible technology will find the Quest 3S to be a compelling alternative.

Quest 3S vs Apple Vision Pro: A Cost-effective Choice

When considering cost, the Quest 3S stands out as it is nearly twelve times more affordable than the Apple Vision Pro. This stark price difference becomes even more pronounced when analyzing their features. The Apple Vision Pro presents pancake lenses for superior clarity and micro-OLED displays with HDR capabilities, combined with an M2 chipset for enhanced graphics.