Meta Quest 3 vs. Meta Quest 3S: Which Mixed Reality Headset Is Right for You?
Whether you're new to VR or thinking about upgrading, this guide compares the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S.
Virtual reality has never been more accessible, and Meta is leading the charge with two powerful options: the Meta Quest 3 and the Meta Quest 3S. At first glance, they seem like close cousins—both wireless, both standalone, and both part of Meta’s growing Horizon OS ecosystem.
But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find some key differences in design, visual quality, hardware, and price that might tip the scale depending on what you're looking for.
Whether you're new to VR or thinking about upgrading, this side-by-side breakdown compares the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S across the categories that matter most. And yes, we’ll call a winner in each category to help you make the smartest choice.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
Design
The Meta Quest 3 features a sleek, premium look with a slim profile and a front panel that is curved with three vertical camera/sensor clusters. It also features a white plastic body and a Y-shaped headstrap. It’s compact, well-built, and the ergonomics are clearly aimed at extended play sessions with less fatigue.
Conversely, the Meta Quest 3S, while still modern, looks and feels more like the Quest 2. It’s chunkier, flatter up front, and features two triangular clusters. It still has decent weight distribution and offers a white plastic body with a Y-shaped headstrap.
Winner: Meta Quest 3. Its streamlined design and improved comfort make it a better choice for long, immersive sessions.
Display
The display experience is where the difference becomes more visible—literally. The Meta Quest 3 sports two LCD panels with a resolution of 2064 x 2208 per eye. It uses pancake lenses with continuous IAD adjustment that dramatically improve clarity and reduce edge distortion. These lenses also provide a wider field of view and sharper visuals across the screen, making the experience more immersive and comfortable on the eyes.
In contrast, the Quest 3S has a slightly lower resolution at 1832 x 1920 per eye and uses Fresnel lenses with three-position inter-axial distance (IAD) adjustment like the Quest 2. Such older tech can introduce light halos, edge blur, and a slightly narrower field of view. While it still delivers a decent experience for most games and apps, the visual fidelity is a step down, especially for users sensitive to clarity or those using the headset for productivity or mixed reality work.
Winner: Meta Quest 3. Sharper resolution and next-gen lenses make it the clear winner for visual quality.
Cameras
Both headsets are equipped with two 4MP RGB cameras and four infrared sensors for inside-out tracking and passthrough. This setup allows for augmented reality features and spatial awareness.
However, the Meta Quest 3 includes a dedicated depth sensor, which greatly enhances its mixed reality capabilities. It allows the device to understand room geometry more accurately and enables better object detection and room mapping, crucial for augmented reality apps and passthrough clarity.
Meanwhile, the Quest 3S omits this depth sensor, relying solely on stereo cameras for passthrough. While it works, the result is a noisier, less refined mixed reality experience. Room scanning and object recognition are slower and more prone to glitches, making the Quest 3S feel like it’s still catching up to its more advanced sibling.
Winner: Meta Quest 3. The depth sensor adds real utility, especially for mixed reality and boundary detection.
Processor
Under the hood, both the Quest 3 and 3S are powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, paired with 8GB of RAM. This is a huge leap from the XR2 Gen 1 in the Quest 2, enabling better graphics, faster load times, and smoother performance across the board.
Games and apps perform equally well on both devices. There’s no downgrade in frame rate, latency, or responsiveness. Whether you’re diving into Asgard’s Wrath 2 or streaming PC VR via Air Link, both headsets feel fluid and next-gen.
Winner: Tie. Same chip, same RAM—both deliver excellent standalone performance.
Motion Tracking and Controls
Meta ships both headsets with Touch Plus controllers—refined, ergonomic, and accurate. They include 6DoF tracking, haptic feedback, and work seamlessly with all games and apps across the Meta platform.
The only slight edge for the Quest 3S is the new “Action Button”, a quick-press shortcut to toggle passthrough mode. It’s a nice convenience feature, especially for users who jump in and out of mixed reality often. However, it’s more of a usability tweak than a game-changer.
Winner: Tie. Core tracking and controller capabilities are identical and excellent on both.
Storage
The Meta Quest 3 was initially offered with both 128GB and 512GB options. However, the 128GB model has been discontinued, making the 512GB model the only available option.
Nonetheless, that's great for power users who download lots of apps, games, and media.
On the other hand, the Quest 3S comes in 128GB and 256GB. That’s still plenty for most users, but if you know you’ll be filling up your library fast or capturing a lot of in-headset footage, the extra headroom in the 512GB Quest 3 might matter.
Winner: Meta Quest 3. A larger storage space gives it the edge for heavy users.
Software
Both headsets run Meta’s Horizon OS, giving access to the same game library, productivity tools, social spaces, and mixed reality features. Core experiences like Beat Saber, Supernatural, VRChat, and Immersed run great on both.
However, the Meta Quest 3’s depth sensor allows it to run more advanced mixed reality features not available on the 3S, including better room awareness and spatial anchoring. Additionally, the Quest 3 is expected to receive new software features and experimental tools slightly ahead of the 3S, in line with Meta’s positioning it as a flagship.
Winner: Meta Quest 3. More advanced MR features and early access to software perks make it a better platform.
Battery Life
Interestingly, despite being the lower-tier device, the Meta Quest 3S comes out ahead here. Thanks to its lower-resolution display and lack of a depth sensor, Meta claims it consumes less power and delivers up to 2.5 hours with its 4324 mAh battery.
The Meta Quest 3 has a slightly larger battery (5060 mAh), but its high-end display and added sensors result in around 2.2 hours of average use. You’ll still want a charging dock or external battery for either device during long sessions, but the 3S lasts just a bit longer.
Winner: Meta Quest 3S. Slightly better battery life makes it more practical for extended unplugged use.
Price
Here’s where things really diverge, with the Meta Quest 3 costing a whopping $499.99. It’s packed with premium features, but you’re paying a premium price.
The Meta Quest 3S aims to be the budget-friendly gateway to next-gen VR. It starts at just $299 (128GB) and goes up to $399 (256GB). For most users, that’s a game-changing price point, especially if you don’t need mixed reality depth sensing or super high resolution.
Winner: Meta Quest 3S. Unmatched value for the price, creating an affordable way to enter the high-performance VR world.
Final Verdict
If you're after the best standalone VR headset Meta has to offer, the Meta Quest 3 is the clear choice. It’s more comfortable, has better lenses, sharper visuals, advanced mixed reality, and more robust storage options. It’s the premium headset for people who want the most immersive and future-proof experience possible.
But if you're more focused on value and just want a powerful VR headset to play games, explore apps, and dive into virtual worlds without spending top dollar, the Meta Quest 3S is an excellent alternative. You get the same blazing-fast processor, great tracking, and access to the same content for a much lower cost.
