Quest 3S is right here and brings with it an simple worth contemplating its value and capabilities. However many longstanding gripes—largely associated to Meta’s Horizon OS—apply right here simply the identical.
Quest 3S Overview Abstract
Quest 3S is one of the best worth you’ll find in a VR headset as we speak when contemplating its $300 beginning value, content material library, and general capabilities. It’s a wonderful place to begin for anybody who desires to take a look at VR for the primary time.
Though Quest 2 additionally launched at $300, Quest 3S is an excellent higher worth as a result of Meta’s headsets have solely change into extra succesful, whereas the vary of video games and apps has grown and improved because the launch of Quest 2. The Quest ecosystem general has drawn the main focus of nearly all of VR builders, which means most new VR video games can be found on the ecosystem. And Quest 3S has the identical horsepower as Quest 3, which means you’ll get to see improved graphics in comparison with what Quest 2 was able to.
Should you’re new to VR and wish to discover out what it’s all about, it’s onerous to think about recommending something aside from Quest 3S—particularly as a result of it doubles as a PC VR headset, which means when you occur to have a high-end gaming PC you can even get entry to some must-play VR video games which might be unique to PC, like Half-Life: Alyx.
Should you’re a VR consumer who has spent loads of time utilizing a Quest 2, PC VR, or PSVR headset, and want to be a part of the fashionable Quest ecosystem, we nonetheless suggest Quest 3 as a result of its greater decision and class-leading lenses supply a notably sharper picture and barely wider field-of-view. These enhancements shall be appreciated most by those that have already spent a number of time in VR.
Quest 2, Quest 3S, and Quest 3 have all the time been good at enjoying immersive video games, however the underlying Horizon OS software program that powers them continues to be tough across the edges as Meta has prioritized including options fairly than polish. Utilizing the principle Horizon interface for spatial computing duties like net looking, discovering and putting in apps, and adjusting the headset’s settings is nearly by no means with out small bugs, inconsistent interface conduct, complicated layouts, and visible stutters.
It would appear to be an odd critique contemplating that Meta undoubtedly has probably the most complete and succesful software program stack of any standalone headset in the marketplace. However simply being ‘higher than the remaining’ doesn’t essentially make the headset’s core software program expertise adequate. That’s as a result of Quest headsets don’t simply compete with different headsets; additionally they compete with different types of in-home leisure like gaming consoles, good TVs, tablets, and smartphones, which are sometimes considerably simpler to make use of.
Quest 3S Detailed Overview
Earlier than we get began, when you’d wish to understand how Quest 2, Quest 3S, and Quest 3 specs examine for the sake of context, you’ll find an in depth comparability right here.
Visuals
Peering via Quest 3S reminds one very a lot of Quest 2. That’s no shock contemplating Quest 3S has the identical lenses and identical decision as Quest 2.
Quest 3S’s readability (the general constancy of the picture via the lens) feels decidedly ‘last-gen’, largely owed to the Fresnel lenses that make the show much less sharp with added glare. The lenses even have a small sweet-spot, which suggests the readability from the middle of the lens to the sting drops off shortly. The small sweet-spot doesn’t matter an excessive amount of for many VR video games. However with regards to doing spatial computing duties like net looking or utilizing a digital desktop, it’s noticeable as a result of it’s essential to transfer your head extra typically fairly than with the ability to merely peer towards one thing on the edges of the lens along with your eyes alone.
There are some visible enhancements over Quest 2 although. As a result of Quest 3S has the identical processor and energy as Quest 3, it usually renders the view within the headset at the next decision which improves sharpness a bit. That further energy additionally means video games can run greater graphics settings, typically which means extra detailed textures, fashions, and improved lighting.
Though Quest 3S can run the identical graphical settings as Quest 3, the picture via Quest 3—which has each higher lenses and the next decision—is clearly the winner.
Quest 3S has one different large visible enchancment over Quest 2: its combined actuality view. Though they share the identical lenses and identical show, the cameras on Quest 3S—which present the surface world via the headset—at the moment are shade and considerably greater decision. Quest 2’s cameras have been very low decision, black & white, and didn’t supply a really nice view of the world. Due to this, utilizing combined actuality on Quest 2 felt extra like a hack than a correct function.
With higher cameras, combined actuality looks like an actual profit on Quest 3S. The decision of the combined actuality view continues to be removed from what your eyes see in actual life, nevertheless it’s simply good sufficient to wish to use. By default you’ll be greeted with the view of your personal room if you placed on the headset (fairly than being whisked away to a completely digital surroundings). This makes for a way more nice transition into and out of VR, a nicer solution to do fundamental spatial computing actions (like net looking and film watching), and makes combined actuality video games really feel rather more viable.
General the visuals in Quest 3S look… high quality. It’s completely succesful for the video games the headset can run, however nonetheless decrease sharpness than you’d need when you deliberate to make use of the headset primarily for spatial computing duties like net looking, film watching, and digital desktop. Quest 3 will get nearer to being very best for these issues, however even it nonetheless falls a bit wanting very best.
Audio
Quest 3S lacks a 3.5mm jack, not like Quest 2 and Quest 3. Fortunately it shares successfully the identical audio high quality as Quest 3, which we discover is best than Quest 2 and adequate that most individuals gained’t really feel the necessity to add their very own headphones. Although, if you wish to, you should utilize your personal headphones by way of USB-C.
We’d nonetheless like to see an ‘elite audio strap’ added to Meta’s official Quest accent lineup, which might ideally mix high-quality off-ear headphones with present ‘elite strap’ designs.
Monitoring & Controllers
In the case of headset monitoring, Meta persistently has one of the best inside-out monitoring in its class. Except for annoying software-related stutters, Quest 3S monitoring is powerful and handles low gentle conditions properly sufficient.
In contrast to each Meta headset that has come earlier than it, Quest 3S lacks a proximity sensor contained in the headset, which suggests the display doesn’t routinely activate or off if you placed on or take away the headset. It feels a bit of bizarre coming from different headsets, nevertheless it’s not a serious inconvenience to only press the little standby button on the aspect if you choose it up.
Quest 3S makes use of the identical Contact Plus controllers as Quest 3 that are additionally class-leading when it comes to inside-out controller monitoring. They’re compact, moderately high-quality, have respectable haptics, capacitive sensing on the thumbsticks and buttons, and wonderful battery life. General there’s little to complain about relating to the controllers—they do their job properly.
Nonetheless, one draw back of the Contact Plus controllers continues to be that they use replaceable batteries fairly than rechargeables. Ostensibly this can be a price decreasing measure, as Meta solves that drawback itself with an official Quest Compact Charging Dock which incorporates customized rechargeable batteries that allow wi-fi charging when positioned within the dock (the headset nonetheless must be plugged in). Observe that Meta’s beforehand out there Quest 3 Charging Dock additionally expenses the Contact Plus controllers, however won’t cost Quest 3S as a result of the headset lacks particular contact factors on the underside that are distinctive to Quest 3.
The controllers supply spectacular monitoring which feels equal to how they function on Quest 3. Whereas it’s doable for the controllers to lose monitoring when put into blind spots for prolonged intervals (like behind your head or again), the controllers do a great job of compensating in the event that they’re solely briefly out of view of the headset. Most VR video games as we speak additionally account for (or outright keep away from) interactions that may put the controllers in monitoring blind spots for lengthy intervals.
Hand-tracking on Quest headsets has gotten higher over time. On Quest 3S it’s a ‘nice-to-have’ function if you wish to do one thing fast within the headset like click on a button, or wish to eat media—the place solely easy inputs like play, pause, and search are wanted—with out bothering with the controllers.
However hand-tracking on Quest 3S (and Quest 3 for that matter) can nonetheless be frustratingly inaccurate at occasions. The design of Horizon OS doesn’t assist the matter with its poor enter affordances, suggestions, and targets which might be typically insufficiently sized given the restricted accuracy. This undercuts the headset’s usability when utilizing hand-tracking for fundamental spatial computing duties.
Quest 3S improves hand-tracking in at the least one significant manner nevertheless. New IR LED lights on the entrance can invisibly illuminate your arms in entrance of the headset, enhancing hand-tracking in low-light situations. This makes hand-tracking extra usable in dimly lit rooms and at night time. Hand-tracking even works properly in a pitch black room, which isn’t the case for Quest 3; that is maybe the one notable state of affairs the place Quest 3S outperforms Quest 3.
Ergonomics
Quest 3S is basically the identical measurement and weight of Quest 2 and Quest 3. Ergonomically talking, it’s practically equivalent too.
Sadly meaning Meta has paired it with a mushy strap out of the field. Everybody has a special head form, so mileage varies, however we’ve simply by no means discovered the mushy straps of Quest 2, Quest 3, and now Quest 3S, significantly comfy for long-term use.
Specifically, the strap tends to graze the ears as a substitute of going round them, which might be annoying for lengthy periods. With none counterweight on the again of the strap, the headset additionally begins to really feel front-heavy fairly shortly. This may be alleviated considerably by being cautious about how a lot you tighten the rear strap (as a substitute let the highest strap do as a lot of the lifting as doable, with the rear strap as minimally tightened as doable whereas nonetheless preserving the headset in your face). That is made tougher by the odd tightening mechanism on the mushy strap which makes it troublesome to make small changes.
As with its siblings, an improved headstrap is the very very first thing we suggest to anybody occupied with getting equipment to enhance their expertise. A inflexible strap with some counterweight on the again and a dial for tightening means considerably better consolation.
Thankfully Meta was cautious to make the Quest 3S strap attachment level largely equivalent to the one on Quest 3, which suggests the overwhelming majority of third-party Quest 3 straps are equally appropriate with Quest 3S. And meaning there’s already large selection to select from—you’ll find our prime Quest 3 (and now 3S) headstrap picks (and different equipment) right here.
Should you’re coming from Quest 2, you’ll discover that the headset inherently feels rather less taxing to make use of just because the improved passthrough view of Quest 3S eases the transition into and out of VR. And a brand new button on the underside of the headset makes for a handy shortcut to show passthrough on and off. On Quest 3 you may activate the identical shortcut by double-tapping on the aspect of the headset, however many individuals are unaware of the function, so having a devoted button is an enchancment.
Proceed on Web page 2: Video games, Apps, and Horizon OS »
Video games & Apps
Though it might probably do extra, enjoying totally immersive video games and experiences is unquestionably the principle use-case for Quest 3S and what it’s greatest at.
Whereas there stays some older PC VR gems that the headset can’t entry (except you could have a high-end gaming PC to pair it to), the overwhelming majority of VR video games as we speak are launched both completely on the Quest platform (known as the Horizon Retailer), or concurrently with different platforms. Which means Quest 3S has entry to a big and rising library of the most important VR video games and experiences being made as we speak.
In comparison with the launch of Quest 2, the Horizon Retailer has solely grown in each breadth and depth. You could find viral indie hits like Gorilla Tag or bounce into big-named platform exclusives like Murderer’s Creed Nexus VR or Asgard’s Wrath 2. And between a variety of video games in Early Entry or constructed inside Meta’s Horizon Worlds social platform, there’s rather a lot to discover.
As a result of Quest 3S shares the identical efficiency specs as Quest 3, it might probably play the identical video games on the identical graphical settings. Which means it not solely has entry to the latest video games (just like the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow) however you can even be assured that it is going to be supported for so long as Quest 3.
With some exceptions, the overwhelming majority of Quest video games on the Horizon Retailer sadly don’t have the scope or polish that you simply may anticipate from video games on any of the large three sport consoles. So when you’re in search of polished experiences, you’ll want to perform a little research to kind via the large library to seek out the content material that scratches that itch.
We’ve bought our personal suggestions for the primary Quest video games you must contemplate shopping for, and for one of the best free Quest video games you’ll find.
The Horizon Retailer can be dwelling to many fascinating non-game apps that span the gamut from training to journey to meditation, and rather more. Should you’re the inventive kind, you’ll find quite a few fascinating instruments for inventive endeavors like sculpting, portray, and animating in VR.
Horizon OS
Horizon OS is the title Meta makes use of for the core Quest software program—the interface and options you employ when not inside an immersive app.
The corporate has been quickly including to the Horizon OS function set. You’ll discover a full-blown net browser, a digital desktop for utilizing your headset as a show on your Mac or Home windows laptop, a media participant for viewing side-loaded content material like photographs and spatial movies, and extra.
Latest modifications allow free-form window administration, permitting you to, say, open an online browser to tug up a YouTube video and maximize it like an enormous TV, then open one other browser window and pull it into your lap to browse twitter like a pill.
On paper, Horizon OS has loads of built-in capabilities. In actuality, the OS continues to really feel overtly clunky. Utilizing it typically looks like utilizing a bolted-on good TV interface fairly than the streamlined interfaces you’d anticipate from a smartphone or pill.
Points with Horizon OS are broad, usually falling into three classes: poor design, inconsistent conduct, and bugs. It will take a complete collection of articles to dig into the small print, so right here I’ll simply say that Horizon OS continues to have poor usability. It does extra as we speak than it ever has, however cramming extra options into the OS doesn’t all the time imply a greater consumer expertise if the options aren’t really polished and simple to make use of.
It is a actual disgrace as a result of these points are largely software program and design based mostly—issues that aren’t constrained by the headset’s {hardware}. And the clunk of the user-facing software program layer actually diminishes the unimaginable issues the headset is definitely doing beneath the hood (the invisible stuff like head monitoring, world monitoring, passthrough, rendering video games and apps with extremely low latency, and so forth).
If Meta can work out find out how to make actual usability enhancements to Horizon OS, it may tremendously improve the worth of Quest 3S over time. However, having seen these points persist since Quest 2, we aren’t holding our breath.
Disclosure: Meta supplied Highway to VR with a Quest 3S headset.