If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the cost has been a barrier, you're in luck. The Meta Quest 3S is now available at a discounted price for 2025, offering a $30 reduction on both the 128GB and 256GB models. This deal not only makes VR more accessible but also comes packed with added value.
Alongside the headset, you'll receive a copy of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, stating, "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."
Free to Play VR Sandbox Game: DigiGods on Meta Quest
For those interested in exploring more VR experiences, DigiGods is a free-to-play, physics-based game available on Meta Quest. It offers a sandbox environment where players can create, play, and share their creations. Safety is paramount, with AI content filtering and human moderators ensuring a positive and secure experience. Check it out on Meta.
Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset
Priced at $299.99, now with a 10% discount bringing it to $269.00 at Amazon, the Quest 3S is a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, yet maintains the same price point. It incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, including the new Touch Plus controllers, an upgraded SnapDragon APU, and full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss highlighted its strengths, saying, "Raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."
What makes this deal stand out is the ability to play the Quest 3S completely untethered. Enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. At this price, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers such freedom.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Even at its regular price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this competitive pricing, some compromises were made. Here's how the two compare:
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities
- Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Touch Plus controllers
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Mixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences
- Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)
- Fresnel lens vs. pancake lens
- Lower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)
- Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)
- Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)
Essentially, the Quest 3S offers nearly the same experience as the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, using the same processor at a lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially improving game performance and contributing to the increased battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S provides better value than the Quest 3 and is a more suitable choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was out of your budget. Compared to the Quest 2, the decision is even clearer.
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