'Meta Quest 3S that beats my PS5 is cheapest ever price in Amazon Prime Day deal'
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale has seen the Meta Quest 3S fall to a record low price with more than 20% off
I tested the new Meta Quest 3S to see how it stacked up against my PS5 and now it's fallen to a record low price in Amazon's Prime Day sale. I've been an avid gamer for most of my life, starting from the very first PlayStation, but I haven't really delved into virtual reality gaming.
Therefore, VR isn't something I'm particularly familiar with and considering the high price tags of devices like the Meta Quest 3, it's not something I'd seriously thought about exploring. However, when Meta launched this new budget-friendly version of their mixed reality headset, the appeal became much more compelling.
The 3S was released last year and has just been reduced to £299.99 at Amazon, its cheapest price ever according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. This is for the 256GB model, with the 128GB model coming in even lower at £260.99.
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It offers HD gaming with a resolution of 1832x1920 pixels per eye, in contrast to the 3's 4K resolution, but it has the same Qualcomm processor and white shell as the 3, making it a more affordable alternative than its predecessor. So when it finally arrived, I was keen to give it a whirl and it was immediately clear that this is a sophisticated piece of kit, reports the Mirror.
The Meta Quest 3S is a more affordable gateway into virtual reality gaming.
Setup
As a 90s kid who grew up amidst the technological revolution, I consider myself quite adept with tech. However, even if I wasn't, setting up the Meta Quest seems like a breeze as it walks you through each step with clear instructions, from establishing a Meta account, syncing the device with a mobile, to defining a room boundary to avoid bumping into walls
That's not to suggest that I was immediately an expert – it's such a novel experience that it does require some getting used to and a little fiddling to get comfortable in this new virtual realm, but even something mundane like tweaking the settings on a menu screen that's hovering in your living room is simply awe-inspiring. As for the headset itself, it also requires a bit of trial and error to ensure it fits snugly over one's eyes using a couple of straightforward straps.
It also features a handy little plastic separator that can increase its distance from one's eyes should if needing to play whilst wearing glasses. Granted, it's not the most comfortable thing in the world and can cause a bit of discomfort around the eyes if used for extended periods, but despite this, it's unquestionably one of my top gaming experiences ever.
Gaming
I've been in possession of the Meta Quest 3S for a while now and the novelty hasn't worn off. I've spent the majority of my time engrossed in the Batman: Arkham Shadow game, which puts the player in the shoes of the Dark Knight himself.
I've been a Batman fan since my childhood, and the game absolutely astounded me. The experience of battling through Gotham City as Batman is truly something to behold.
I spent the initial 10 minutes simply gazing at my hands – but they weren't mine, they were Batman's. The Quest headset, along with its two lightweight controllers, are so precise and reactive that every minor movement you make, whether it's a slight finger twitch or even crouching down, is perfectly mirrored by the character.
This often led to me sneaking around the room or peering around corners that didn't actually exist. However, everything about the game and the Quest itself, from the crisp graphics, fluid gameplay and overall experience, has me utterly captivated.
It can also be pretty tiring – who would have thought that running around Gotham dressed as a bat and battling gangs of thugs could be so strenuous? It's not ideal for playing in confined spaces, as even with the virtual boundary indicating when you're approaching the edge, I frequently find myself colliding with the sofa or – when playing as Batman – punching a lampshade.
It can be played while seated, but having tried this myself, I believe standing really offers the optimal experience, particularly when playing games where your character is moving around. Besides Batman, there's a plethora of other games to select from, whether you're into sports or horror – there's even a few Star Wars games available.
One might also want to give Richie's Plank Experience a go, where players ride an elevator to the top of a skyscraper and then walk a plank hanging over the edge, before stepping off and plummeting to the street below. I'm not one for heights at the best of times, but this is just virtual reality, so how bad can it be?
Turns out quite bad – but in a good way. I was sweating and my stomach was churning as I walked the plank; it genuinely felt like I was standing hundreds of feet in the air. After I stepped off and hit the ground below, I nearly fell over.
This might not sound particularly enticing, but it's worth noting as it demonstrates just how realistic and immersive the Meta Quest truly is, and how one's brain makes it into feeling like you're actually in the game. It also offers much more than VR gaming; I had a quick peek at the Sabrina Carpenter VR concert which, while not exactly my cup of tea, felt like I was watching a personal performance right there in my room, while watching the football highlights on YouTube projected on a virtual cinema screen beat watching on a real TV.
Battery
The Meta Quest 3S has left a strong impression on me, but its battery life is something of a let-down. Meta claims it can last for an average of 2.5 hours depending on usage, but during gaming, it seems to only hold up for around two hours, preventing lengthy gaming sessions unlike a console that's connected to the mains.
This may be enough for some, and it's probably advisable to take a break every few hours, but once I'm engrossed in a game, I could play for hours, something that's not feasible with the 3S. It takes about another 2.5 hours to fully charge it, which isn't too long, but the short charging cable is frustrating as you can't continue playing while it's plugged in.
Fortunately, it uses a standard USB-C cable, so I was able to replace it with my laptop's longer charging cable, but this still doesn't provide the same freedom as playing wirelessly. Shoppers can purchase the Meta Quest Elite Strap with Battery, which enhances the headset's comfort and provides an additional two hours of run time due to an integrated battery pack, but this comes at an extra cost of £103.99 in the Amazon sale.
The Verdict
Is the Meta Quest 3S worth the investment? Despite the somewhat disappointing battery life, absolutely, especially now it's at a new low price.
While the graphics might not match those of a PS5 and the game selection may not be as extensive as an Xbox, the overall futuristic experience is in a league of its own, making players feel as if they're inside the game rather than just passively playing.
Moreover, it's cheaper than both the PS5 and Xbox Series S, and £160 less than the standard Meta Quest 3, yet still delivers high performance and impressive visuals. It also comes with a three-month free trial of Meta Horizon+, providing access to a revolving games catalogue and two curated titles each month.
Even the games available for purchase on the Horizon store aren't as pricey as console games – for instance, the Star Wars 'Vader Immortal' games are priced at £7.99 each. For anyone interested in venturing into virtual reality gaming or considering buying one as a Christmas gift but doesn't want to pay a premium, this is certainly worth considering as an alternative to the pricier model.
It's also worth checking out Sony's competing device, the PlayStation VR2, especially if you're a keen PS5 gamer. It's currently available for £379.95 at Amazon or £399.99 from PlayStation Direct and offers a range of PS5 games in VR like Gran Turismo 7 and No Man's Sky.