Meta Quest 3S: Unveiling Release Date, Features, Specifications, and Pricing

A budget-friendly variant of Meta’s renowned Virtual Reality (VR) headset is in the pipeline – introducing the Meta Quest 3S. Exciting early specs and anticipated details have surfaced, providing insight into this upcoming device!

Although Meta is generally tight-lipped about its future products, leaked images are hinting that the tech giant is developing a more economical version of the Meta Quest 3.

The Meta Quest 3S is expected to feature a lower screen resolution and a more bulky fresnel lens, while still housing the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset found in the Meta Quest 3. However, to keep costs down, it might be shedding several other advanced features.

Curious about what this budget-friendly VR headset will offer? Let’s dive into everything we know, from its anticipated features to its release timeline and pricing! 🎮

What is Meta Quest 3S?

Your Next-generation Budget VR Headset from Meta

The Meta Quest 3S represents a rumored VR headset from Meta, designed to be a more affordable alternative to the Meta Quest 3 and even the Apple Vision Pro! This new headset is anticipated to harness the same chipset as the Quest 3 but will likely sacrifice some visual clarity compared to its more premium counterparts. Its design is rumored to take inspiration from the Meta Quest 2 but will appear slightly bulkier for improved functionality.

Expected Release Date for Meta Quest 3S

Projected Launch: From September 25, 2024

Meta has kept a low profile regarding the Quest 3S, which could also be dubbed the Meta Quest 3 Lite. However, this isn’t unusual, considering the excitement surrounding the recent release of the Quest 3.

To forecast a release date, we can look at Meta’s historical pattern with launches. Traditionally, Meta introduces new products shortly after its Meta Connect event. Past launches, including the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro, occurred during these events in 2022 and 2023.

This year’s Meta Connect is set for September 25 to 26, making it a likely date for the unveiling of the Quest 3S. Recent leaks reveal the Meta Quest 3S appearing in compatible app listings on the Meta Store, supporting this expectation of an imminent announcement.

Additionally, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently tweeted that the Meta Quest 3S may debut alongside other Meta innovations, including prototypes for Orion AR glasses and new Ray-Ban smart glasses available in various designs. Improved artificial intelligence features are also said to be on the horizon.

Design and Specifications of Meta Quest 3S

• Bulkier Fresnel Lens
• Lower Resolution
• Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Chipset
• 4MP RGB Passthrough Cameras

According to popular tech insider Luna, who shared information on social media, the Meta Quest 3S will boast the same processing power as the Quest 3 while mimicking the overall structure of the Quest 2.

This headset is expected to come equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 System on Chip (SoC), mirroring Quest 3’s powerful features. Additional specifications could include:

• Two tracking ring-less controllers
• 4MP RGB passthrough cameras

Despite maintaining some of these functionalities, the Quest 3S may experience certain downgrades to align more with the Quest 2’s design. The anticipated screen resolution is 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye at refresh rates of 90Hz/120Hz, compared to the Quest 3’s more vivid 2,064 x 2,208 pixels.

Additionally, the headset may feature a fresnel lens system that is more bulkier than the slimmer pancake lenses used in the Quest 3. The Inter-Pupillary Distance (IPD) adjustments are set to revert to the Quest 2’s three-position arrangement.

Meta Quest 3S is likely to inherit various software functionalities from the Quest 3, including:

• Automated Space Setup
• Inside-Out Body Tracking
• Multimodal Tracking

Pricing for Meta Quest 3S

The forthcoming Meta Quest 3S is anticipated to have a significantly lower price point than the Quest 3, which launched starting at $499. Given that the Quest 3S is expected to offer lower specs compared to the Quest 3 but still outperform the Quest 2, it is reasonable to predict its pricing to fall somewhere between the two.

For context, the current base storage version of the Meta Quest 2 is priced around $199. If this trend continues, the launch price for the Quest 3S could range from $299 to $399. There’s a possibility it could go even lower, as Meta might seek to capture a broader audience.

Meta Quest 3 vs. Meta Quest 3S: A Comparative Overview

The upcoming Meta Quest 3S is anticipated to be a cost-effective solution in the VR market, featuring a performance chipset similar to that of the Quest 3 but with likely downgrades. Here’s a concise comparison:

• Meta Quest 3: Higher resolution, more advanced features, premium pricing.
• Meta Quest 3S: Budget-friendly, retaining a powerful chipset with some feature reductions.

The Meta Quest 3S promises to offer an enticing opportunity for gaming and immersive experiences at a lower cost, ensuring that more users can join the VR revolution.