With the new Quest 3S, Meta has launched a price-conscious alternative to the Quest 3. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is little to no difference between the two models - at least for the layman. For someone who isn't an enthusiast and doesn't want to exhaust high-end features down to the last detail, the decision is therefore relatively easy: The Meta Quest 3S offers almost the same performance as the Quest 3, but at a significantly lower price.

Why the Quest 3S could be the better choice

The differences between the two devices are barely noticeable to the untrained user. Both headsets have the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, support the same apps and games and offer a similarly high level of wearing comfort. Even in terms of design and features, the two devices appear almost identical. So unless you explicitly need the larger storage version (512 GB) of the Quest 3 or are an absolute enthusiast when it comes to VR and mixed reality technologies, there is a lot to be said for the cheaper Quest 3S.

With an entry-level price of around 350 Euro On the German market, the Meta Quest 3S is positioning itself as a real price breaker - especially compared to the competition. Devices from Pico only start at around 450 euros, while HTC sets a significantly higher threshold with an entry-level price of 700 euros. The contrast becomes even more dramatic when you compare the Meta Quest 3S with Apple's Vision Pro: The device, which came onto the market with an astronomical price tag of 4,000 euros, raised many eyebrows even before its launch. While the Vision Pro may be technologically advanced, the unrealistic pricing has clearly slowed Apple down and shows that even innovation needs an accessible price to be successful.

Conclusion: Price-performance wins

For most users, the Meta Quest 3S is the clear recommendation. It combines solid design, first-class performance and an affordable price. Enthusiasts and power users who prefer maximum storage options or a thinner and higher-quality design can opt for the Quest 3. But for the average user, why spend more when the cheaper Quest 3S offers almost the same?

Meta is making a strong statement with the Quest 3S: High-quality VR and MR experiences don't have to be expensive. While the competition struggles with their prices and concepts, Meta offers an accessible solution for the masses with the Quest 3S - a headset that convinces in both price and performance and redefines the standards in the industry.