If you've been eyeing VR gaming but the price tag has held you back, you're in luck with the first great Meta Quest deal of 2025. For a limited time, Amazon is slashing $50 off the Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing it down to just $349. That's only $50 more than the 128GB base model, making it a fantastic option for those who want more storage for untethered play. This instant discount is even better than the Black Friday deals, which often required using digital credits or gift cards specific to certain stores.
To make the offer even sweeter, the package includes a copy of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, saying, "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
Originally priced at $399.99, now save 13% and get it for $349.00 at Amazon. The Quest 3S is a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, offering improvements in every aspect 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 full-color AR passthrough. IGN's 9/10 review by Gabriel Moss highlights that "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also introduces entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for the first time."
What sets this deal apart from other VR offers is that the Meta Quest 3S allows for completely untethered gameplay. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. You won't find another standalone VR headset at this price point.
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 pricing, some compromises were made. Below are the spec comparisons:
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, since both headsets use the same processor, running at a lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially improving game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
At its price point, the Quest 3S provides a better value than the Quest 3 and is a more suitable choice for most gamers, particularly if the Quest 3 was out of your budget. Compared to the Quest 2, the decision to upgrade is even clearer.
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