It has been a while (nearly a year) since Meta Quest 3 was launched, and it looks like Meta has plans to expand its range of VR offerings. The most obvious guess here would be a Meta Quest 4, but surprisingly, speculation so far tells a different story. For a while now, there have been rumors about Meta working on an affordable VR headset. We also have a name for it – the Meta Quest 3S (although we don’t know if it’s officially called that yet).
In any case, as we reported earlier, this VR headset has appeared online on FCC and Dekra certifications. This indicates that there is a strong possibility that the company is working on a new VR headset – we just don’t know exactly what it is.
Meta Quest 3S release date prediction
Now, Meta has not confirmed the existence of a Meta Quest 3S or even a new VR headset. However, considering that there are reports of certifications floating around, we can assume that Meta is working on something to be unveiled soon. The upcoming Meta Connect two-day event is scheduled for September 25th and 26th, we can expect to see a glimpse of a new VR device – hopefully.
Since Meta hasn’t even announced the headset yet, there is no specific release date. However, looking back, the Meta Quest 3, Quest 2, and Quest Pro were all released in the month of October, so there’s a real possibility that the Quest 3S will arrive in October 2024, shortly after the Meta Connect event.
Meta Quest 3S specs leaked online
As far as specs are concerned, it is being speculated that the Meta Quest 3S is likely to share some specs with the Quest 2. So, as per some earlier leaks, the VR headset will have an 1832 x 1920 resolution (per eye) and might even appear similar to the Quest 2. It would offer a max refresh rate of 90Hz or 120Hz.
Furthermore, it might run on a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, two 4MP RGB passthrough cameras, and also ring-less controllers. As this is a new headset, we might get to see some tweaks like better accessories or a more snug fit.
| Specification | Meta Quest 3S (rumored) |
|---|---|
| System on a chip (SoC) | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| Resolution | 1832 x 1920 per eye (20 PPD) |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz / 120Hz |
| Lenses | Fresnel Lenses with 3-Position IPD/IAD Adjustment |
| Cameras | 4x IR Tracking, 2x 4MP (18 PPD) RGB Passthrough, 2x IR Illuminators |
| Software | Automated Space Setup, Inside-Out Body Tracking, Multimodal Tracking |
Meta Quest 3S price speculation
In a newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that Meta’s new headset might be priced around “$300 or $400.” If we go with the $300 price tag, then this would make the Quest 3S cheaper than the Quest 3. And while the Meta Quest 3 is a fantastic VR headset, it is pricey. So, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for an affordable option from Meta.
