Last Update on November 5, 2025
TL;DR
- Chip & ecosystem: both headsets use Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and share the same game library.
- Image quality & FOV: Quest 3 wins (higher per-eye resolution, wider FOV, pancake lenses).
- Price & battery: Quest 3S is significantly cheaper and offers slightly better battery life.
- PCVR & simmers: for cockpit clarity and tiny text, Quest 3 is the safer pick.
- Tight budget / first-time VR: Quest 3S is unbeatable for value with solid mixed reality.
Side-by-side — key specs
| Spec | Meta Quest 3 | Meta Quest 3S |
|---|---|---|
| SoC / RAM | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, 8 GB | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, 8 GB |
| Display (per eye) | ~2064×2208 LCD | ~1832×1920 LCD |
| Lenses | Pancake | Fresnel |
| FOV (horizontal) | ~110° | ~96° |
| Refresh rate | up to 120 Hz | up to 120 Hz |
| Storage | 128 / 512 GB | 128 / 256 GB |
| Battery (avg.) | ~2.2 h | ~2.5 h |
| Weight | ~515 g | ~514 g |
| Price positioning | higher | more affordable |
Image quality & visual comfort
The Meta Quest 3 and the Quest 3S are two new headsets from Meta in 2024, each aimed at a different audience and both of them are in the ranking of the best VR headsets.
- Quest 3 VR Headset: higher per-eye resolution and a wider FOV → better readability (text, cockpits, fine UI) and immersion. Pancake lenses reduce glare and improve edge clarity.
- Quest 3S VR Headset: perfectly fine for casual gaming and MR, but less sharp with a narrower FOV. Upside: lower price and better battery out of the box.
Tracking, comfort & mixed reality (MR)
- Tracking & MR: both offer color passthrough. Several tests note solid low-light tracking on Quest 3S (head/hands), despite its simpler optics.
- Ergonomics: weights are near-identical; consider an elite/battery strap to balance long sessions (sims, productivity).
Standalone performance (games)
- Same chip → similar raw performance.
- In some demanding titles, the lower resolution of the 3S can ease the GPU load (smoother feel) at the cost of detail — handy if you prioritise fluidity over tiny text sharpness.
PCVR (Air Link / Virtual Desktop / cable)
If you stream PCVR (sims, racing, FPS), optics + network matter most.
- Recommended: Virtual Desktop for fine controls (VDXR/OpenXR, bitrate, smoothing) → clean image with controlled latency. Guide: Virtual Desktop.
- Air Link: free, simple, built-in.
- Network: PC on Ethernet → 5 GHz/6E router in the room → dedicated SSID.
- Clean Windows/OpenXR setup: configure VR on PC correctly; on laptops: optimise a gaming laptop for VR.
Who should pick which?
Choose Quest 3 if…
- You want the widest FOV and sharpest optics in the Quest lineup.
- You often use mixed reality for productivity (remote desktop/multi-window).
- You play a lot of PCVR (MSFS VR, sim-racing) and value readability.
Choose Quest 3S if…
- Budget is your top concern and you want a first VR/MR headset that does a bit of everything.
- You mostly play standalone titles (light to moderate).
- You appreciate a bit more battery life without add-ons.
Pricing & editions (2025)
- Quest 3S: generally much cheaper (128/256 GB tiers).
- Quest 3: more premium (up to 512 GB).
Check the official Meta comparison for current configurations/prices: Meta : Compare Quest 3 vs Quest 3S.
FAQ on Meta Quest3 and 3s
Is Quest 3 really sharper?
Yes, thanks to higher per-eye resolution and wider FOV, plus pancake lenses for more uniform clarity.
Does Quest 3S track better in low light?
Several reviews report solid low-light tracking on 3S (head/hands). That said, it doesn’t overcome the optical sharpness advantage of Quest 3 for tiny text.
Which is better for MR (mixed reality)?
Both have color passthrough. For multi-window work/remote desktop or MR apps with lots of fine text, Quest 3 is more comfortable; 3S is great for exploring MR on a budget.
Best pick for PCVR sims (MSFS, Assetto, DCS)?
Quest 3, because readability and FOV are crucial. Install Virtual Desktop and follow our network tips.
