Meta’s Budget Quest 3S Exposed: VR Panda Unveils High-Res Image

Previously, we reported on the budget-friendly version of the Meta Quest 3, known as the Quest 3S, but at that time, information was limited to renderings. Recently, according to a report by UploadVR, a VR headset accessory manufacturer, VR Panda, shared the first high-resolution image of the front of the Quest 3S on X.

Image: VR Panda

Consistent with the earlier leaked renderings by VR blogger Luna (@Lunayian), this image shows the Quest 3S front panel with six apertures, though not all are cameras. The previously leaked specifications indicate that the Meta Quest 3S features four infrared cameras, distributed on the front and sides of the headset (one on each side and two on the front), and two 4-megapixel RGB cameras located at the front for color passthrough. Additionally, there are two infrared light sources on the front for depth detection. Despite being a budget version, the Quest 3S includes color passthrough functionality, enabling mixed reality (MR) experiences.

The leaked specifications also reveal the chipset used in this new headset. The Quest 3S is equipped with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 SoC as the Quest 3. The primary downgrade lies in the display; the Quest 3S retains the Fresnel lenses from the Quest 2, and the display panel’s specifications are reduced to a single-eye resolution of 1832 x 1920 at 120Hz. Regarding the controllers, the Quest 3S uses the same Quest Touch Plus controllers without rings as the Quest 3.

Currently, it is unclear when Meta will officially release this budget headset, but given that accessory manufacturers already possess physical units, the release date is likely imminent. Many speculate that this headset will be priced around $300, positioning it as a replacement for the Quest 2.