STACK #247 May 2025

GAMING FEATURE

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Audio Whether you opt for the Quest 3 or 3S, you get built-in stereo speakers that support 3D spatial audio. But you can also use your own ear gear for deeper immersion, with full Bluetooth support. When it comes to audio connectivity, there’s a key difference between the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. The flagship model includes a 3.5mm audio jack as well as Bluetooth, meaning that you can connect any headphones, or send audio to an amplifier or receiver. Controllers Regardless of whether you opt for the Quest 3 or 3S, you’ll receive Touch Plus controllers, which offer improved haptics over previous Meta Quest models, as well as no tracking rings – so they’re more compact. They’re designed to act as extensions to your hands, rather than feeling like old school game controllers. Battery life Battery performance is actually quite similar between both models, with the Meta Quest 3S packing a 4324mAh battery that delivers around 2.5 hours of runtime. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 features a slightly bigger 5060mAh battery, offering around 2.2 hours of use. That’s a little less uptime as it’s pushing some serious extra pixel numbers around. Who’s it for? As a flagship model with a higher band of features, including double or quadruple the storage of the 3S models, the Meta Quest 3 tops the pricelist. It’s perfect for VR enthusiasts, as well as professionals to whom high-end graphics and decent storage are key requirements. The 3S is certainly no slouch This technology combines virtual and real-world environments on the Quest 3 or 3S’s screens for an interactive experience that sees digital objects existing within physical surroundings. It’s like a halfway point between VR and AR (augmented reality – think Pokémon Go as an example). Both the Meta Quest 3 and 3S support MR via full colour passthrough vision. As well as being great for adding a new dimension to games, this tech also has educational and professional applications.

Mixed reality

If you’re after an immersive VR (virtual reality) or MR (mixed reality) experience, then prepare to be wowed by the Quest 3 and 3S from Meta. Let’s catch up with what they’re all about. Words Amy Flower ENTER THE AMAZING WORLD OF META QUEST 3 AND 3S

Do I need a PC? No! As the Quest 3 and 3S are standalone units, there’s a range of games and experiences available that run directly on the hardware, with no need for a console or computer. Use the handy Meta Horizon app on your smartphone to shop titles. However, should you be PC equipped, you can also use either the Quest 3 or 3S to stream PC based VR games, including your Steam collection. What if I wear glasses? No problem! A glasses spacer is included with every Quest 3 or 3S. You can even go all-in and order prescription lenses from Meta (sold separately). What are the differences physically? The Quest 3 is the high-end model, while the two 3S models still pack an incredible array of features. The Quest 3 and 3S look quite similar, as they both feature a white plastic body, coupled with a Y-shaped head strap. However, take a closer look and subtle differences become apparent. The Quest 3S is a little bulkier and features six openings at eye level for camera lenses and sensors, while the Quest 3 has three such openings.

Performance At the heart of both wireless headsets processing wise sit Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processors, paired with 8GB of RAM. The beauty of this is that regardless of which headset you plump for, you’ll be able to play the same range of VR games and apps. One key difference between models is inbuilt storage. The Quest 3 offers a beefy 512GB, while the Quest 3S is available with two storage sizes, a choice between 256GB and 128GB. The bigger your game collection, the handier the larger storage. Display When talking total immersion, resolution is a key factor. The Quest 3 delivers a detailed 4K+ infinite display image with a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye, and a higher refresh rate. It uses pancake lenses, which sit closer to the display and help eliminate stray light, meaning greater clarity. The Quest 3S, meanwhile, gives users a still impressive per-eye resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels. This one utilises a bulkier Fresnel lens system, which uses concentric rings of prisms to focus light.

performance-wise though, and if you’re more budget conscious, or dipping your toes into this exciting virtual world for the first time, then it may be a better starter option. Like its big sister it also supports MR, so you’re not missing out on one of the most exciting Quest 3 capabilities.

• The Meta Quest 3 and 3S are available now

14 MAY 2025

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