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Meta Quest 3 vs Quest 3S

GOOVER DAILY REPORT October 2, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Introduction to Meta's Quest 3 and Quest 3S
  3. Hardware Specifications
  4. Software and User Experience
  5. Market Impact and Strategic Decisions
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • This report examines Meta's latest VR headsets, the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, focusing on their hardware specifications, software capabilities, and market positioning. Both headsets leverage the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, offering robust performance. However, the Quest 3S presents a more budget-friendly option by compromising on features like display quality and depth sensors. The report delves into detailed comparisons, user reviews, and spec breakdowns to evaluate the value and performance of each headset for different types of consumers.

2. Introduction to Meta's Quest 3 and Quest 3S

  • 2-1. Announcement of Quest 3 and Quest 3S

  • Meta has officially announced the Quest 3S VR headset, which is set to launch on October 15th at a starting price of $299.99, matching the original price of Quest 2. The Quest 3S shares the same powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform as the Quest 3, providing users with robust performance. This new model aims to attract VR newcomers by offering essential mixed reality features while retaining affordability. The headset has a design that combines characteristics of both the Quest 2 and Quest 3. Although it adopts some of the same display technologies as the Quest 2, it enhances features such as full-colour mixed reality, spatial audio, and passthrough technology.

  • 2-2. Market positioning and pricing

  • The pricing strategy for the Quest 3S positions it as a lower-cost alternative to the more advanced Quest 3. By offering significant features at a reduced price point, it appeals primarily to budget-conscious consumers and those new to virtual reality. The headset lacks certain advanced features present in the Quest 3, such as a depth sensor and high-resolution displays, allowing it to remain budget-friendly. Thus, Meta is emphasizing its intention to streamline its VR product lineup by discontinuing the older Quest 2 and Quest Pro models while simplifying choices for consumers.

3. Hardware Specifications

  • 3-1. Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Platform

  • Both the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S utilize the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, ensuring robust processing capabilities for immersive VR experiences. This platform enhances the performance and efficiency of both headsets, enabling them to run demanding applications and games seamlessly.

  • 3-2. Display: Pancake Lenses vs Fresnel Lenses

  • The Meta Quest 3 features advanced pancake lenses, which provide superior visual clarity and depth perception compared to the Fresnel lenses used in the Quest 3S. The Fresnel lenses employed in the Quest 3S, while lightweight and cost-effective, contribute to glare and a reduced 'sweet spot,' hindering the overall visual experience. Reviewers noted that the visuals on the Quest 3S closely resemble those of the Quest 2, which is affected by the same display technology.

  • 3-3. Controllers: Touch Plus Compatibility

  • Both headsets are compatible with the Touch Plus controllers, enhancing user interaction with improved haptic feedback and eliminating physical rings. This compatibility allows for a consistent user experience across the Quest 3 and Quest 3S.

  • 3-4. Battery Life Comparison

  • The Quest 3 and Quest 3S are designed for extended use, with battery life reported to be approximately 2-3 hours for both models. While the Quest 3 is slightly optimized for longer use, the Quest 3S is noted to have a slightly higher battery life of 2.5 hours compared to the Quest 3's 2.2 hours. Features like dynamic spatial audio in the Quest 3S do not significantly impact its battery performance.

  • 3-5. Size and Weight

  • The Quest 3S is slightly larger than the Quest 3 but maintains a manageable weight for comfortable use. The design changes include an arrangement of front sensors in two triangular formations, contrasting with the Quest 3's three pill-shaped cutouts. The adjustments in size and weight consider the balance between performance and comfort for users during VR sessions.

4. Software and User Experience

  • 4-1. Meta Horizon OS and Spatial Computing

  • Meta has rebuilt its Meta Horizon OS to enhance spatial computing experiences. The new operating system focuses on user interaction within virtual reality environments and integrates features such as Travel Mode for travel purposes and offline entertainment downloads, providing users with ample content access regardless of connectivity.

  • 4-2. Mixed Reality Capabilities

  • Both the Quest 3 and Quest 3S feature enhanced mixed reality capabilities, leveraging the same powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform. The Quest 3S particularly stands out with its full-color mixed reality, offering users immersive experiences that blend virtual objects with the physical world. This advancement allows for dynamic spatial audio and improved passthrough technology.

  • 4-3. General User Experience: Quest 3S vs Quest 3

  • The user experience between Quest 3 and Quest 3S varies largely due to display and lens quality. While the Quest 3 provides a superior visual experience with advanced clarity and a better field of view, the Quest 3S uses Fresnel lenses similar to those in the Quest 2, resulting in a lower visual fidelity characterized by glare and a smaller sweet spot. The overall interface and navigation in Horizon OS remain consistent between both headsets, but the visual aspects impact usability and enjoyment.

  • 4-4. Unique Features: Travel Mode, Offline Entertainment Downloads

  • Unique features such as Travel Mode and offline entertainment downloads have been integrated into the Meta Horizon OS. Travel Mode allows users to easily utilize the headset in transit, making it more convenient for travel. Offline entertainment downloads enable users to enjoy content without needing continuous internet access, enhancing the headset's usability for on-the-go consumers.

5. Market Impact and Strategic Decisions

  • 5-1. Discontinuation of Quest 2 and Quest Pro

  • Meta is discontinuing its older Quest 2 and Quest Pro models. This strategic decision aims to streamline its product lineup, focusing on the new Quest 3 and Quest 3S models. The Quest 3S is set to launch with a starting price of $299.99, which is the same as the original starting price of the Quest 2. Accessories like the Touch Pro controllers and Elite Strap remain compatible with the new models.

  • 5-2. Competitive Positioning against Apple’s Vision Pro

  • The Quest 3S is marketed as a more budget-friendly option in comparison to Apple’s Vision Pro. It retains powerful features such as the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, mixed reality capabilities, and improved audio technology all while offering a lower price point by sacrificing certain high-end features like depth sensors and display quality. By positioning the Quest 3S against the more expensive Vision Pro, Meta aims to capture a wider audience seeking affordable mixed reality experiences.

  • 5-3. Consumers' Ratings and Reviews

  • Initial consumer reviews of the Quest 3S indicate that although it retains some flaws from the Quest 2, it offers significant improvements in power and feature parity at an unbeatable price. Users have noted that the visuals are largely reminiscent of the Quest 2 due to the use of Fresnel lenses, which results in glare and a smaller sweet spot compared to the Quest 3. However, the overall affordability of the Quest 3S makes it an attractive option for newcomers to VR.

6. Conclusion

  • Meta's Quest 3 and Quest 3S cater to different segments of the VR market, balancing cost and performance. The Quest 3 offers high-end features and superior visuals due to its pancake lenses and advanced spatial computing abilities through Meta Horizon OS, targeting dedicated VR users. In contrast, the Quest 3S, with its Fresnel lenses, provides a cost-effective entry point into the VR world, although at the expense of display quality. Both headsets are powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform, yet Meta's strategic decision to discontinue older models like the Quest 2 and Quest Pro simplifies their product lineup. Future studies could further investigate user adaptation and long-term impact on Meta's market share, while practical applications could explore integrating these VR systems in more diverse fields such as education and remote work.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. Meta Quest 3 [Product]

  • Meta Quest 3 is a high-performance VR headset leveraging the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform. It features advanced pancake lenses for improved display quality, integrated with spatial computing capabilities provided by Meta Horizon OS. It is targeted at dedicated VR users seeking superior visuals and performance.

  • 7-2. Meta Quest 3S [Product]

  • Meta Quest 3S is a budget-friendly VR headset, also powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform. It uses Fresnel lenses akin to those used in the Quest 2, impacting display quality but offers substantial features like spatial computing at a lower price. Best suited for newcomers to VR.

  • 7-3. Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 [Technology]

  • Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 is the underlying platform powering both the Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets. It supports advanced graphics and processing capabilities essential for immersive VR and mixed reality experiences.

  • 7-4. Meta Horizon OS [Software]

  • Meta Horizon OS is Meta's operating system for VR headsets, focused on enhancing spatial computing. It supports features like Travel Mode and offline entertainment downloads, contributing to a better user experience in mixed reality environments.

  • 7-5. Fresnel Lenses [Technology]

  • Fresnel lenses are a type of lens used in the Quest 3S and Quest 2, known for being more affordable but offering lower display clarity compared to pancake lenses. They produce certain visual artifacts like glare and a smaller sweet spot.

  • 7-6. Pancake Lenses [Technology]

  • Pancake lenses are used in the Meta Quest 3, offering superior display quality with minimal visual artifacts compared to Fresnel lenses. They are key to providing a clearer VR experience.

8. Source Documents