Meta Quest 3S Has One Significant Edge Over the High-Priced Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3S emerges as a more affordable yet advantageous alternative in specific aspects compared to its pricier counterpart, the Quest 3. Notably, when it comes to head and hand tracking in low-light environments, the Quest 3S takes the lead.
This advancement is particularly significant for users who prefer VR gaming in the evening or in dimly lit rooms. The hand tracking technology in the Quest 3S is distinctly more reliable, initializing quicker and managing rapid movements seamlessly without losing accuracy. Additionally, the issue of false positive frames, where the hand appears at incorrect angles or with wrong finger positions, is significantly reduced.
While both the Quest 3 and Quest 2 headsets struggle to function in complete darkness, the Quest 3S offers the capability to track head and hands with some ambient geometry present, like walls. Although there might be some minor jittering, this edge serves as a notable enhancement to the user experience.
The secret behind the Quest 3S’s superiority in such settings lies in its integration of infrared illuminators on the front. These infrared lights, similar to the ones found on Apple Vision Pro, enable improved functionality even though the Quest 3S sacrifices some quality in lenses and displays as trade-offs for its affordability.
Despite the technological compromises, the Meta Quest 3S delivers an exceptional value proposition. Priced at $299, it comes bundled with a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadows and offers a 3-month trial of Meta Quest Plus. Launched with the similar mixed reality experience as the Quest 3, the 3S model features a resolution and color quality that is significantly higher than that of the Quest 2, while maintaining 4.5 times better resolution. Additionally, it houses the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 processor and boasts 8GB of RAM, ensuring a robust performance.
What’s more, existing Meta Quest users will appreciate the option to carry over their previously purchased games, including those acquired through Meta Quest Plus.
In conclusion, while both headsets offer compelling features suited to different budgets and needs, the Meta Quest 3S shines in its ability to enhance low-light VR experiences, bringing a unique advantage to virtual reality aficionados.
