I was first introduced to the weird and wonderful world of VR with an interesting proposition.
It was suggested to me, an avid Barry’s Bootcamp attendee, that I could get an equally good workout in the mixed reality world of the Meta Quest 3 as I could from one of the hardest classes in London. I had to put it to the test.
While the calories burned didn’t compare, the enjoyment of the sessions converted me to the device – and fitness was just the beginning.
While I waxed lyrically about my many VR adventures, the thing that held me back from shouting it from the rooftops was the price tag. The Meta Quest 3 will set you back £469 - making it a pricey initial layout that means it is hard for those uninitiated to stomach.
So, Meta came up with a solution.
The Meta Quest 3s was created with the intention of bringing VR immersion at a lower price point. But what do you sacrifice with this? And is it worth the nearly £300 price tag? I put it to the test.
Tech specs
Set-up
Good to go right from the box, there is not much set-up required on the Meta Quest 3s itself. You must pair it with the accompanying app which is where you will browse and download the extensive library of games.
Once powered up, it automatically maps out the area around you to avoid obstacles.
Design
Cheaper, lightweight and aesthetically different, the 3s is an entryway into the world of transportive mixed reality. There is a different camera and sensor set-up on the front – recreating the look of the Meta Quest 2 with the fresnel lens system, but with twice its GPU.
To keep the price down, there is also less storage (128GB or 258GB vs 512GB for the 3), no audio jack and lower resolution picture – but for a first foray into VR, these are not noticeable, and you can connect the headset to a speaker via Bluetooth to improve the audio quality.
Features
Have you always dreamed of DJing a sold-out venue? Fancy leaving Earth to explore no-gravity at the International Space Station? Considered travelling back in time to Renaissance Italy to channel an ancient assassin and complete a series of tasks? Ok, well perhaps not the last one. But these are all made possible through the wonders of virtual reality.
New to market, the brand’s Quest 3s is a more affordable take on the headset that has made far-fetched scenarios a truly realistic experience – without qualifications or needing to leave the comfort of your own living room. The Tribe XR DJ Academy, Mission ISS Quest and Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR apps are just a few of the myriad fitness, entertainment, music and games in the teeming library.
Unveiled at the same time as the device is the new Batman: Arkham Shadow which comes part and parcel with the purchase. After bingeing The Penguin with Colin Farrell, this was a very exciting prospect and a way to immerse in Gotham City in a whole new way.
You still get the passthrough capabilities that transform your living room to a pixel virtual version at the touch of a button, vibrant colour and the exclusive Breathable Facial Interface attachment so you can stay cool during intense gaming sessions or while working out with your very own cyber PT.
Something I haven’t yet tried but like the idea of is transforming my living room into an at-home cinema. You can stream YouTube and it appears like a giant screen, adjusting the light around automatically to achieve the optimal ambience.
Verdict
Meta Quest 3S All-In-One Mixed Reality Headset and Controllers, 128GB, White
Have you dreamed of DJing at a sold-out venue? Leaving Earth to explore no-gravity at the International Space Station? Considered travelling back to Renaissance Italy to channel an ancient assassin? These are all made possible through the wonders of mixed reality, where the real world meets the computer-generated one.
The Meta Quest 3s is a more affordable take on the headset that has made such far-fetched scenarios truly realistic. The Tribe XR DJ Academy, Mission ISS Quest and Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR apps are just a few of the options in the huge library.
Cheaper, lightweight and aesthetically different, the 3S is an entryway into the world of mixed reality. While the more advanced Meta Quest 3 begins at £469, its new counterpart can be yours for £289. There is a different camera and sensor set-up, less storage, no audio jack and lower resolution picture — but these are not noticeable, and you can connect the headset to a speaker via Bluetooth to improve the audio quality.
You can still transform your bedroom into a virtual world, and the exclusive Breathable Facial Interface attachment keeps you cool during gaming sessions or workouts.
Was: £289
Buy now £275.00, John Lewis
