If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the price has been a barrier, you're in luck! The first-ever discount on the Meta Quest 3S for 2025 is here, offering a $30 savings on both the 128GB and 256GB models of this wireless VR headset. But wait, there's more! The package deal also includes a free copy of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In an 8/10 review by IGN, Dan Stapleton praised the game, noting that "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 you can create, play, and share in a sandbox environment. Safety is paramount, with AI content filtering and human moderators ensuring a secure and positive community. Experience it at Meta.
Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset
Originally priced at $299.99, you can now get the Meta Quest 3S for $269.00 at Amazon, a 10% savings. The Quest 3S surpasses the original Quest 2 in every aspect, yet maintains the same price point. It also incorporates several advanced features from the pricier Quest 3, including enhanced Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. IGN's 9/10 review by Gabriel Moss highlights that "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 Meta Quest 3S completely untethered. Enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without the need for a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. 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?
The Quest 3S is priced at $200 less than the $500 Quest 3, a 40% reduction. To achieve this competitive price, some 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 nearly the same experience as the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, since both use the same processor, the 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 is a better value than the Quest 3 and 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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