If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the price tag has been a deterrent, you're in luck. The first actual discount on the Meta Quest 3S for 2025 is here, offering a $30 reduction on both the 128GB and 256GB models of this wireless VR headset. This deal is sweetened further with a complimentary copy of 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
DigiGods offers a free-to-play, physics-based VR experience where players can create, play, and share within a sandbox environment. Safety is paramount, ensured by AI content filtering and human moderators to maintain a positive and secure community. [ttpp]
Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset
Now available for $269.00 at Amazon, down from $299.99, the Meta Quest 3S represents a significant upgrade over the Quest 2 without a price hike. It incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, including improved Touch controllers, an upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss highlighted the headset's 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 sets this deal apart 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 console. At this price point, 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 retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this price point, certain compromises were made. Here's how they 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)
In essence, the Quest 3S offers a nearly identical experience to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. The shared processor means that running at a lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing game performance and contributing to the extended battery life.
For its price, the Quest 3S provides a superior value compared to the Quest 3, making it an excellent choice for most gamers, especially those for whom the Quest 3 was out of reach. When compared to the Quest 2, the decision becomes even more straightforward.
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