Virtual Reality has been just that for most of us — virtual. If you’ve been on the sidelines waiting for the technology and the pricing to arrive at an accessible point, you’re probably wise. The early headsets were heavy, uncomfortable, and prone to inducing motion sickness, all delightful features that you paid out the nose for.
Meta’s Quest 3S VR headset is a sign that the VR market has settled into a groove — better quality equipment, access to more games and activities, and best of all, a truly accessible price. Right now the Meta Quest 3S is just $270 at Amazon, with a free 3-month trial of Meta Horizon+ added on as a bonus. The 128GB model headset brings twice the graphic performance of its predecessors, with better hand tracking and smooth visuals that won’t turn you green in the gills.
All-in-One VR Gaming
The Meta Quest 3S stands alone, not just in terms of its performance but because it literally stands alone — no PC, no cables, just you and the headset and the huge volume of incredible VR content it delivers (especially during those 3 free months of Meta Horizon+). Although more attention is usually paid to the Quest 3S’s big brother, the Meta Quest 3, the two headsets actually share the same core processing hardware — the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. Long story short, the step down in price is far greater than any step down in performance.
The number of VR-optimized and VR-centric game titles has exploded over the past few years, most of which are fully functional and immersive using just the Quest 3S, like Batman: Arkham Shadows and the Meta Quest exclusive Deadpool VR. Some of the more-dense titles like Half-Life: Alyx are still best played when streamed to a PC. But the full library of available games on Meta Horizon+ alone ensures you won’t be running out of options anytime soon, if ever.
Endurance Event
The battery life of the Meta Quest 3S is another area where VR headsets have made a great leap forward. The Quest 3S will run for 2.5 hours on a full battery, so you’re playing more and charging less. Further upgrades to the Touch Plus hand controllers, now armed with TruTouch Haptics for both better performance and more realistic gameplay, just add to the already huge pile of reasons to go all-in on VR gaming with the Meta Quest 3S.
Being an early adopter often works out great, but there are times when it’s prudent to let new technology work out some bugs and arrive at a more pleasing price point. VR gaming is clearly in the latter camp, and the time to jump in is now. Amazon’s 10% off deal brings the price of the Meta Quest 3S down from $300 to just $270, with three free months of Meta Horizon+ included.