It's been just over two years now since soon-to-depart CTO John Carmack told a Meta Connect audience about his vision for a super low-end VR headset that came in at $250 and 250 grams. "We're not building that headset today, but I keep trying," Carmack said at the time with some exasperation.

After being stung by the cost of the Meta Quest 3 last year, I'm glad to say the Meta Quest 3S remedies a key issue.

Meta released a brand new mixed reality headset about two week ago, the Meta Quest 3S. It’s their cheapest mixed reality headset by far, starting at a price of $299, compared to the $499 starting price of Meta Quest 3. Don’t get confused though, the S in 3S does not mean it’s better, even though you may think that.

When you consider the Meta Quest 3S and its compromises, a few key questions arise.

If the Apple Vision Pro’s eye-watering £3,499 price tag has got you questioning the affordability of mixed reality tech, you’re not alone. Apple’s struggling to shift its expensive headset, and Meta’s taking its chances to get ahead.

The Meta Quest 2 has been a faithful VR companion to many, but here's why it's time to make the jump to mixed reality with the Quest 3S.

AR browsing on Meta Quest 3S can help limit screen time due to a higher barrier for entry. Instagram is seamlessly integrated into the 3S, but VR features won't fully replace the usual methods. The Meta Quest 3S is a robust piece of hardware and a great gateway to virtual reality,