Quest 3S is right here and brings with it an plain 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 Evaluate Abstract
Quest 3S is the most effective worth you could find in a VR headset at the moment 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.
Regardless that 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 target of the vast majority of VR builders, that means most new VR video games can be found on the ecosystem. And Quest 3S has the identical horsepower as Quest 3, that means you’ll get to see improved graphics in comparison with what Quest 2 was able to.
In the event you’re new to VR and wish to discover out what it’s all about, it’s exhausting to think about recommending something aside from Quest 3S—particularly as a result of it doubles as a PC VR headset, that means if you happen to occur to have a high-end gaming PC you may also get entry to some must-play VR video games which are unique to PC, like Half-Life: Alyx.
In the event you’re a VR consumer who has spent lots of time utilizing a Quest 2, PC VR, or PSVR headset, and need to be part of the trendy Quest ecosystem, we nonetheless suggest Quest 3 as a result of its increased decision and class-leading lenses provide a notably sharper picture and barely wider field-of-view. These enhancements might 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 reasonably than polish. Utilizing the primary Horizon interface for spatial computing duties like net shopping, discovering and putting in apps, and adjusting the headset’s settings is sort of by no means with out small bugs, inconsistent interface habits, complicated layouts, and visible stutters.
It’d appear to be an odd critique contemplating that Meta positively 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 ok. 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, sensible TVs, tablets, and smartphones, which are sometimes considerably simpler to make use of.
Quest 3S Detailed Evaluate
Earlier than we get began, if you happen to’d wish to understand how Quest 2, Quest 3S, and Quest 3 specs evaluate for the sake of context, you could 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 rapidly. The small sweet-spot doesn’t matter an excessive amount of for many VR video games. However in terms of doing spatial computing duties like net shopping or utilizing a digital desktop, it’s noticeable as a result of it is advisable transfer your head extra typically reasonably than having the ability to merely peer towards one thing on the edges of the lens together 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 a better decision which improves sharpness a bit. That further energy additionally means video games can run increased graphics settings, typically that means extra detailed textures, fashions, and improved lighting.
Regardless that Quest 3S can run the identical graphical settings as Quest 3, the picture via Quest 3—which has each higher lenses and a better 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 skin world via the headset—are actually shade and considerably increased decision. Quest 2’s cameras have been very low decision, black & white, and didn’t provide a really nice view of the world. Due to this, utilizing combined actuality on Quest 2 felt extra like a hack than a correct characteristic.
With higher cameras, combined actuality looks like an actual profit on Quest 3S. The decision of the combined actuality view remains to be removed from what your eyes see in actual life, however it’s simply good sufficient to wish to use. By default you’ll be greeted with the view of your personal room whenever you placed on the headset (reasonably than being whisked away to a completely digital surroundings). This makes for a way more nice transition into and out of VR, a nicer method to do primary spatial computing actions (like net shopping and film watching), and makes combined actuality video games really feel far more viable.
Total the visuals in Quest 3S look… fantastic. It’s completely succesful for the video games the headset can run, however nonetheless decrease sharpness than you’d need if you happen to deliberate to make use of the headset primarily for spatial computing duties like net shopping, film watching, and digital desktop. Quest 3 will get nearer to being supreme for these issues, however even it nonetheless falls a bit wanting supreme.
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 ok 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 through 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 the most effective inside-out monitoring in its class. Apart from annoying software-related stutters, Quest 3S monitoring is strong and handles low gentle conditions effectively 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 robotically activate or off whenever you placed on or take away the headset. It feels just a little bizarre coming from different headsets, however it’s not a serious inconvenience to simply press the little standby button on the facet whenever you decide it up.
Quest 3S makes use of the identical Contact Plus controllers as Quest 3 that are additionally class-leading by way of inside-out controller monitoring. They’re compact, moderately high-quality, have respectable haptics, capacitive sensing on the thumbsticks and buttons, and glorious battery life. Total there’s little to complain about concerning the controllers—they do their job effectively.
Nonetheless, one draw back of the Contact Plus controllers continues to be that they use replaceable batteries reasonably than rechargeables. Ostensibly it is a value lowering measure, as Meta solves that downside 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). Be aware that Meta’s beforehand accessible 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 provide spectacular monitoring which feels equal to how they function on Quest 3. Whereas it’s potential for the controllers to lose monitoring when put into blind spots for prolonged durations (like behind your head or again), the controllers do a very good job of compensating in the event that they’re solely briefly out of view of the headset. Most VR video games at the moment additionally account for (or outright keep away from) interactions that might put the controllers in monitoring blind spots for lengthy durations.
Hand-tracking on Quest headsets has gotten higher through the years. On Quest 3S it’s a ‘nice-to-have’ characteristic whenever you wish to do one thing fast within the headset like click on a button, or wish to devour 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 instances. The design of Horizon OS doesn’t assist the matter with its poor enter affordances, suggestions, and targets which are typically insufficiently sized given the restricted accuracy. This undercuts the headset’s usability when utilizing hand-tracking for primary spatial computing duties.
Quest 3S improves hand-tracking in at the very least one significant approach nonetheless. New IR LED lights on the entrance can invisibly illuminate your fingers in entrance of the headset, bettering hand-tracking in low-light eventualities. This makes hand-tracking extra usable in dimly lit rooms and at evening. Hand-tracking even works effectively in a pitch black room, which isn’t the case for Quest 3; that is maybe the one notable situation the place Quest 3S outperforms Quest 3.
Ergonomics
Quest 3S is actually the identical dimension and weight of Quest 2 and Quest 3. Ergonomically talking, it’s almost similar too.
Sadly which means Meta has paired it with a delicate strap out of the field. Everybody has a unique head form, so mileage varies, however we’ve simply by no means discovered the delicate straps of Quest 2, Quest 3, and now Quest 3S, notably comfy for long-term use.
Specifically, the strap tends to graze the ears as an alternative of going round them, which might be annoying for lengthy classes. With none counterweight on the again of the strap, the headset additionally begins to really feel front-heavy fairly rapidly. This may be alleviated considerably by being cautious about how a lot you tighten the rear strap (as an alternative let the highest strap do as a lot of the lifting as potential, with the rear strap as minimally tightened as potential whereas nonetheless holding the headset in your face). That is made more difficult by the odd tightening mechanism on the delicate 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 excited about getting equipment to enhance their expertise. A inflexible strap with some counterweight on the again and a dial for tightening means considerably higher consolation.
Happily Meta was cautious to make the Quest 3S strap attachment level largely similar to the one on Quest 3, which suggests the overwhelming majority of third-party Quest 3 straps are equally suitable with Quest 3S. And which means there’s already large selection to select from—you could find our prime Quest 3 (and now 3S) headstrap picks (and different equipment) right here.
In the event 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’ll be able to activate the identical shortcut by double-tapping on the facet of the headset, however many individuals are unaware of the characteristic, so having a devoted button is an enchancment.
Proceed on Web page 2: Video games, Apps, and Horizon OS »
Video games & Apps
Though it will possibly do extra, enjoying absolutely immersive video games and experiences is unquestionably the primary use-case for Quest 3S and what it’s finest at.
Whereas there stays some older PC VR gems that the headset can’t entry (except you’ve a high-end gaming PC to pair it to), the overwhelming majority of VR video games at the moment are launched both completely on the Quest platform (known as the Horizon Retailer), or concurrently with different platforms. Meaning Quest 3S has entry to a big and rising library of the largest VR video games and experiences being made at the moment.
In comparison with the launch of Quest 2, the Horizon Retailer has solely grown in each breadth and depth. Yow will discover viral indie hits like Gorilla Tag or soar 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 will possibly play the identical video games on the identical graphical settings. Meaning it not solely has entry to the most recent video games (just like the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow) however you may also be assured that it will likely 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 count on from video games on any of the massive three recreation consoles. So if you happen to’re on the lookout for polished experiences, you’ll want to perform a little research to type via the large library to seek out the content material that scratches that itch.
We’ve received our personal suggestions for the primary Quest video games you need to think about shopping for, and for the most effective free Quest video games you could find.
The Horizon Retailer can also be house to many attention-grabbing non-game apps that span the gamut from training to journey to meditation, and far more. In the event you’re the inventive sort, you could find numerous attention-grabbing instruments for inventive endeavors like sculpting, portray, and animating in VR.
Horizon OS
Horizon OS is the identify Meta makes use of for the core Quest software program—the interface and options you utilize when not inside an immersive app.
The corporate has been quickly including to the Horizon OS characteristic 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 pc, a media participant for viewing side-loaded content material like images and spatial movies, and extra.
Current adjustments 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 lots of built-in capabilities. In actuality, the OS continues to really feel overtly clunky. Utilizing it typically looks like utilizing a bolted-on sensible TV interface reasonably than the streamlined interfaces you’d count on from a smartphone or pill.
Points with Horizon OS are broad, usually falling into three classes: poor design, inconsistent habits, and bugs. It could take a complete sequence 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 at the moment 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.
This can be 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 below 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 tips on how to make actual usability enhancements to Horizon OS, it may enormously enhance the worth of Quest 3S over time. However, having seen these points persist since Quest 2, we aren’t holding our breath.
Disclosure: Meta offered Highway to VR with a Quest 3S headset.
