MetaQuest VR Headsets

VR Entertainment

As much as you may dislike anything Meta, it has to be said: since acquiring and rebranding the Oculus Rift headsets, Meta has made virtual reality more accessible to a broader audience. VR is now a source of family entertainment - no longer reserved for the nerds.

The Focus on Fun

While technically superior, Apple’s Vision Pro comes in at a hefty $3,500, making it a tough entry point for most people exploring virtual reality. In contrast, Meta Quest 3s is priced at just $395. Apple promotes VR as a smarter way to work, thanks to full integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Meanwhile, Meta focuses on making VR fun and engaging. Microsoft arrived late to the VR scene and no longer markets its own headsets. Instead, it has partnered with Meta to improve PC compatibility - but more on that later.

The Specs

Model	Meta Quest 3s	Meta Quest 3
Processor	Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 / 8Gb DRAM	Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 / 8Gb DRAM
Refresh rate	72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz	72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz
Resolution	1832 X 1920 pixels per eye	2064 x 2208 pixels per eye 4K+ infinite display
Lenses	Fresnel lenses with 3 position interaxial adjustment	Pancake lenses with 13 interpupillary distances
FOV	96° horizontal, 90° vertical	110° horizontal, 96° vertical
Memory	128 Gb and 256 Gb options	512Gb
Battery Life	2.5 hours average	2.5 hours average
Current Price:	$395 and $532	$654

Aside from storage capacity, there’s not much to separate the two latest Meta headsets. The key difference lies in visual quality: the Meta Quest 3s uses Fresnel lenses, while the Quest 3 features Pancake lenses that provide sharper definition and wider viewing angles.

Meta Quest 3s Fresnel Lens and Meta Quest 3 pancake Lens

Battery Life

The built-in battery offers around 2½ hours of use. That might not sound like much, but trust me - two hours in VR can feel intense, depending on the game. Motion sickness can be an issue. Thankfully, third-party head straps with external batteries can double or even triple your play time. I highly recommend investing in one - not only for extended sessions but also because the supplied elastic head strap can become uncomfortable, requiring frequent adjustment.

Controllers

Both headsets include haptic controllers, which provide feedback through vibration based on in-game actions. In VR, the appearance of the controllers can change depending on the experience - transforming into a fishing rod, golf club, or pistol, for example. Both headsets also have hand tracking so pointing with your fingers is all that is necessary in some situations.

PC Compatibility

As mentioned earlier, Microsoft has collaborated with Meta to enhance PC connectivity. You can now access your desktop and apps across three large virtual screens and even use a virtual whiteboard for notes. Steam Link integration allows you to play your favorite Steam games on virtual displays. A standout feature is the ability to arrange and angle the screens to create a semi-surround setup. While not true VR, it offers an immersive and unique alternative to a standard monitor.

The Virtual Workspace

Meta also offers a subscription service, Meta Quest+ which includes two free games each month. While game selections vary and may not suit your taste, the subscription is generally well worth the monthly fee. In future posts, we’ll explore some of the games available for Meta Quest headsets.