Meta Quest 3S vs. Meta Quest 2: Which Budget VR Headset Reigns Supreme?

It’s 2024, and things are heating up in the VR world! Meta has officially waved goodbye to the beloved Meta Quest 2, which has been with us since 2020. Now, it’s making way for the shiny new Meta Quest 3S.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth upgrading to the Quest 3S or sticking with that trusty old Quest 2, buckle up! We’re diving into what’s different, what’s better, and what’s… well, kinda the same.

1. Price Tag Showdown

Let’s kick things off with cost because, let’s be real, that’s what most of us are looking at first. The Meta Quest 2 was the reigning budget VR king with its $299 price tag, making it a fan favorite. But Meta’s upped the game and dropped the Meta Quest 3S at the same price point—$299! So, no sticker shock here. But what does that $299 get you?

2. Processing Power: Faster, Better, Stronger

Here’s where the 3S flexes. The Meta Quest 3S rocks a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, which is chef’s kiss compared to the aging XR2 Gen 1 in the Quest 2. In short? Smoother gameplay, faster app switching, and more demanding apps without that annoying lag.

Translation: If you’re tired of waiting for apps to load or your games freezing mid-fight, the 3S is the way to go.

3. Display: Sharpness Battle

Now, let’s talk about how things look inside these virtual worlds. The Quest 2 was no slouch with its 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, but the Meta Quest 3S takes it up a notch. Well, kind of. It’s the same resolution per eye, but with newer Fresnel lenses for improved clarity. So while it’s not a quantum leap, the Meta Quest 3S offers a smoother visual experience.

But wait—there’s more. The refresh rate in the 3S is a solid 120Hz all the time (hello, silky smooth!), while the Quest 2 could only hit 120Hz in certain apps. In everyday use? 3S takes the cake.

4. Mixed Reality Madness

Here’s the showstopper: mixed reality (MR). The Meta Quest 2 dabbled in passthrough tech, but let’s be honest, it was mostly for fun and didn’t really mix virtual with the real world. Enter the Meta Quest 3S, which brings full-color passthrough, letting you interact with both the physical and digital worlds simultaneously. It’s like stepping through a portal—literally!

Now, don’t expect the 3S to blow your mind on par with the pricier Meta Quest 3 in terms of MR (it’s missing a depth sensor), but at this price? It’s chef’s kiss.

5. Battery Life: The Long Haul

We’re always hunting for more battery life, and the Meta Quest 3S delivers a slight boost over the Quest 2. While the Quest 2 taps out around 2-3 hours, the 3S gives you a little more juice—around 5 hours for casual use. So whether you’re binging Netflix in VR or gaming with friends, the 3S keeps you going longer.

6. Controllers & Hand-Tracking

Both headsets have awesome hand-tracking for waving around in VR like a pro, but the 3S offers slightly simplified controllers compared to the Quest 2’s beefier versions. However, it’s not a massive difference—you’ll still be flicking, grabbing, and slicing through VR worlds like a boss on both.

7. Storage: A Bit of a Drop

The Quest 2 offered up to 256GB of storage in its final iteration, which isn’t bad. But here’s the kicker—the Meta Quest 3S maxes out at 256GB, compared to the Quest 3’s 512GB. So if you’re a VR hoarder who likes to store all the games, you might hit the ceiling with the 3S faster​.

The Verdict

So, what’s the final score?

The Meta Quest 3S comes in cheaper, faster, and with way better mixed reality capabilities than the Quest 2. If you’re new to VR or you’ve been clutching your Quest 2, waiting for the right time to upgrade, this is your moment. The Meta Quest 3S takes everything we loved about the Quest 2 and sprinkles it with 2024 upgrades like full-color passthrough, better processing power, and that snappy 120Hz refresh rate.

If you’ve already got a Quest 2 and are wondering if it’s worth it? The Meta Quest 3S will make you feel like you’ve leveled up—without breaking the bank.

Note: This article has undergone peer review and adheres to the highest editorial standards.