It seems as though Microsoft’s drive to ensure its Xbox Game Pass slogan, ‘Play Anywhere,’ remains relevant, the company is also branding everything with Xbox in sight. Earlier this month, there was the dual launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds. Now, a long-standing rumour has been proven true, with a Meta/Xbox partnership in the form of the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition.
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What’s in the (X)box?
Let’s look at what all the fuss is about. Firstly, the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is a limited edition bundle with all the Xbox design features you might expect.
In the box, you get a rather snazzy-looking Carbon Black with Velocity Green Meta Quest 3S headset (the 128GB model), a Carbon Black Meta Quest Elite strap, 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a limited-edition Xbox controller, a 3-month trial of Meta Horizon+ and custom Touch Plus controllers. All for $399.99 USD/£379.99 GBP. While that is $100 more than the base Quest 3S model, with all those extras – the normal official Elite Strap is $70 by itself – it actually works out at a $100 saving.
So, in terms of a VR bundle, it’s the best around at the moment. Especially if you’re an Xbox fan new to VR, or looking to upgrade from a Quest 2.
Marketing ploy or a good deal?
The problem comes when you look at the wider VR market and how Meta’s other headsets are positioned. Sure, if you suffer from ‘Tech FOMO’, then its limited edition appeal will outweigh any doubts. Because there’s no other way to get your hands on a Carbon Black Quest or Elite Strap.
But if you already pay for Game Pass and have an Xbox controller, could you get a better deal elsewhere? We think so. The base 128GB Quest 3S is $299, released at that entry-level price point to encourage new players into VR. Both headsets are exactly the same internally, and with that extra $100 in your pocket, you could buy a load of VR games, supporting VR developers.
At the other end of the scale, for $100 more, the Meta Quest 3 offers a step up. The Quest 3 and 3S both have the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, but the Quest 3 boasts far more modern pancake lenses (offering better clarity), a higher resolution dual-screen display (2064 x 2208 pixels per eye), a slightly wider FoV, and a far larger 512GB storage capacity.
XRSource wonders whether it would’ve been better to offer a custom Quest 3 Xbox edition instead. Why not go all out and launch a premium variant? People would’ve bought it. Or maybe that comes later this year if there’s enough interest.
Was it Really Needed?
Honestly, XRSource isn’t quite sure if a Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition does much for the market as a whole, or are we being too cynical? It’s a nice-looking headset, don’t get us wrong, but that’s all it is. Taking a more positive viewpoint, maybe it just generates renewed interest for VR from the wider gaming press.
Xbox Game Pass and Cloud Gaming have been available on Quest since 2023, so it’s nothing new. However, sticking an Xbox logo on new (oldish) hardware will always create excitement. And fundamentally, that’s what VR needs.
So what do you reckon? Will you be buying a Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition? Or will you save money and get a 3S or spend a little more and get a Quest 3? Let us know in the comments!
