Meta Quest 3s users have found an image of an unreleased Meta VR headset inside the official Meta Quest Link PC software. This new headset is rumored to be the Quest 3S and could be a more affordable version of the Meta Quest 3. It may have fewer advanced features than the flagship Quest 3 to keep the price lower.
Read More: How to Fix PS4 HDMI Port Issues in 2024
The Meta Quest 3S design stands out because its front-facing cameras and sensors are arranged in two triangular groups, giving the headset a unique “spider-eyes” look. From the leaked image, the Quest 3S seems bigger and bulkier than the Quest 3, with dimensions more like the Meta Quest 2.
The larger size supports rumours that this new headset could replace the Quest 2, which first came out in 2020. The Quest 2 is currently being sold for $199, but supplies are running low, hinting that Meta may soon stop producing it.
The Meta Quest 3S is expected to cost less than the Quest 3, which starts at $499. It might use the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset as the Quest 3, but it could reuse the cheaper Fresnel lenses found in the Quest 2.
Additionally, the Quest 3S won’t include the Touch Plus Controllers that come with the Quest 3. Instead, customers would possibly depend on integrated eye- and hand-monitoring to interact with the tool, although the controllers ought to nevertheless be bought one at a time.
The Quest 3S’s leak comes just before Meta Connect 2024, the company’s annual conference, which will be held on September 25-26. Meta is expected to officially announce the Quest 3S and possibly the new Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses at this event.
Meta hasn’t yet responded to questions or comments about the leaked headset.
Expected Features and Pricing of the Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is expected to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, the same one found in the Quest 3. On the outside, it will likely feature infrared (IR) sensors, tracking cameras, and passthrough cameras to help with various VR functions.
However, the Meta Quest 3S is not meant to replace or upgrade the Quest 3. Instead, it is likely to be a more affordable option with some changes in design and performance.
Earlier leaks suggest the Quest 3S will display optics similar to the Meta Quest 2. This means it might use a lower-resolution screen and possibly just one display panel instead of separate panels for each eye. This design can lead to some of the display area being wasted. The Quest 3S might also continue using Fresnel lenses, part of the Quest 2.
The Quest 3 significantly improved display sharpness, especially around the edges of your vision. This was a significant upgrade over previous models.
Since the Quest 2 went out of stock at Meta’s official store in June, there has been a gap that a more affordable headset like the Quest 3S could fill. The Quest 3 is priced at $499.99, which is quite expensive for many people.
While the exact price of the Quest 3S has yet to be discovered, it is unlikely to be as low as the $199 that the Quest 2 was priced at during its last weeks of sale.
