If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but found the cost prohibitive, you're in luck with the first significant Meta Quest deal of 2025. Amazon is currently offering a $50 discount on the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to just $349. This deal makes the 256GB model only $50 more than the base 128GB version, offering a substantial upgrade for those looking to store more games for untethered play. This instant discount surpasses even the Black Friday deals, which typically came with digital credit or store-specific gift cards.
To make this offer even more enticing, the package includes a copy of the Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, noting that "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow
Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset
$399.99 save 13%
$349.00 at Amazon
The Quest 3S is a significant step up from the original Quest 2, offering improvements across the board without a price hike. It also incorporates many features from the pricier Quest 3, such as the enhanced Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review of the Quest 3S, Gabriel Moss stated, "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."
What sets this deal apart from other VR offers is the ability to play the Meta Quest 3S completely untethered. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a high-end gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. You won't find another standalone VR headset at this price point that offers the same level of freedom.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Even at its full retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this competitive price, some compromises were necessary. Here's how the two models compare:
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities
- Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Touch Plus controllers
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Mixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences
- Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)
- Fresnel lens vs. pancake lens
- Lower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)
- Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)
- Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)
In essence, the Quest 3S is nearly identical to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, since both use the same processor, the lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S offers a better value than the Quest 3 and is a more suitable choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. Compared to the Quest 2, the decision is even clearer.
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