If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but found the price tag daunting, the first notable Meta Quest deal of 2025 might be just what you need. Amazon is currently offering a $50 discount on the Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing the price down to $349. This deal makes it just $50 more than the base 128GB model, providing a significant upgrade in storage for more games and an untethered gaming experience. This direct discount surpasses the Black Friday offers, which often came with digital credits or gift cards limited to specific stores.
To enhance the value, the package includes a copy of the Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, giving it an 8/10 and stating, "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 256GB VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow
$399.99 save 13% $349.00 at Amazon
The Quest 3S significantly improves upon the Quest 2 without increasing the price. It also incorporates several features from the more expensive Quest 3, including the enhanced Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss highlighted that "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 makes this deal stand out is the ability to play completely untethered. You can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a high-end gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. At this price point, it's hard to find another standalone VR headset that offers the same value.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Even at its retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this price, certain compromises were made. Here's a comparison of their specs:
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)
Essentially, the Quest 3S offers a similar experience but with downgraded optics. However, using the same processor at a lower resolution can reduce the APU's load, potentially enhancing game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S provides better value than the Quest 3, making it a more attractive option for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. It's also a clear upgrade over the Quest 2.
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