Though Less Expensive, It Still Made Me Uneasy

It’s been quite some time since I last strapped on a mixed reality headset. My Quest 2 has been gathering dust, especially now that I mainly use a foldable Android for my daily tasks. However, during my recent demo of the Meta Quest 3S at Meta Connect, something sparked my curiosity, making me wonder if there’s still a spot for this type of tech in my life. The experience did, unfortunately, leave me feeling a tad queasy.

You can check it out at Best Buy and Amazon.

Meta has unveiled the Quest 3S headset, which starts at $300. While it’s a bit easier on the wallet compared to the standard Quest 3, it shares the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform. The downside? It has a slightly reduced resolution and a narrower field of view. However, it’s still broader than what the Quest and Quest 2 offered. Meta seems to aim this release at those of us who haven’t worn our headsets in a while and are possibly looking for an upgrade. The new model includes a full-color mixed reality passthrough, allowing smooth movement by simply switching to that mode.

At the onset of my session with the Meta Quest 3S, I found myself enjoying the immersive experience. Yet, by the end, I was starkly reminded why these gadgets often sit unused. The feeling of nausea crept in. Whether it was due to skipping a meal or the swirling heat—who knows? About 32 minutes into the demo, I graciously asked to step out and take off the headset, craving the fresh air of reality.

The tipping point for me was Horizon World’s Music Valley Experience. It features Sabrina Carpenter, who feels young to me—I remember her Disney Channel days. As you approach her virtual “stage,” the experience intensifies, almost as if you’re intruding on her personal space. It was certainly too intimate for my liking.

At one juncture, another avatar joined in and started dancing with me. This virtual companion kindly showed me around, directing us to a floating alien spaceship dispensing music notes. I found it tricky to grasp them using the joystick controls, and that was when the queasiness really kicked in.

I did find some success with other parts of the Quest 3S’s offerings. Watching the start of a Celine Dion special on Amazon Prime was a treat for the ears. Then, I lounged in a field of daisies in a striking 8K, 3D YouTube video—totally relaxing. I shuffled some windows around just for fun and tried playing an Xbox game, but the controller malfunctioned. Eventually, I joined Just Dance, though by then, I was bordering on maxing out my virtual reality endurance.

The vertigo hit hardest in Horizon Worlds, as it lacked a steady horizon—a visual anchor, much like the kind you’d look for on a swaying boat. I didn’t expect such a reaction merely sitting in a chair. Hence, next time I venture into virtual spaces, I’ll likely just stay seated. While Meta seems to have found a way to reduce the Quest’s price, they still need to address how to make mixed reality palatable for those with sensitive stomachs like mine.

The new Meta Quest 3S is priced at $300 for the 128GB model, with the 256GB version available for $400. It’s available for preorder now and officially goes on sale on October 15.

You can see more details at Best Buy and Amazon.