The Meta Quest 3 is Meta's reigning champion for the best VR headset, but the Quest 3S is boasting much of the same specs and all of the same software and features at a cheaper price (though the rival model does have less storage, a bulkier frame, and less crisp displays)

Meta is discontinuing the Quest Pro soon, and an open facial interface will bring a similar open-air experience to the Quest 3.

In essence, the Quest 3S is nearly the same headset but with downgraded optics. On the plus side, since both headsets use the same processor, running at a lower resolution reduces the load on the APU, which could theoretically improve performance in games and also account for the increased battery life.

And yet, for all its new features -- a better color passthrough camera that can enable mixed reality just like the more expensive Quest 3 and the same Quest 3 processor for more advanced graphics in games -- I wonder how rapidly the VR and AR app landscape on Quest can accelerate along with it.

With the budget Quest 3S now up for preorder, Meta will no longer sell the Quest 2 and Quest Pro once back stock is deleted.

Speaking of lenses, the Meta Quest 3S reverts to fresnel lenses. The Quest 3’s “pancake lenses” help make graphics in your peripheral vision look sharper, making the whole experience more immersive. Since this device has fresnel lenses like the Meta Quest 2, I expect the viewing experience will be largely similar.

There's a huge discount on Meta Quest 3 headsets right now at Amazon, and it even includes Batman Arkham Shadow for free.

The Quest 3S is bringing almost as much to the table as the Quest 3 but for $200 less. Meta may have just made an offer that mixed-reality first-timers can't refuse.

The Meta Quest 3S doesn't officially go on sale until October 15, but I was able to try on the headset early to see how it fit, what it could do and how it compares to the pricier Meta Quest 3. During the hands-on session,