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Walmart is currently offering a steep discount on a premium Sony television. For a limited time, you can purchase the 75" Sony Bravia XR X93L 4K Mini-LED Smart TV for only $1,198, including free shipp
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If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the costs have held you back, the first significant Meta Quest deal of 2025 might be your golden ticket. For a limited time, Amazon is slashing $50 off the Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, bringing it down to just $349. This price is only $50 more than the base 128GB model, making it an excellent choice for those looking to store more games for uninterrupted play. This straightforward discount outshines even Black Friday deals, which often required digital credit or gift cards tied to specific stores.
To make the offer even sweeter, the package includes a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow VR and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's glowing 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, noting that "Batman: Arkham Shadow successfully adapts the defining gameplay of the Arkham series to VR, with a compelling mystery story to boot."
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow
Meta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset
Was $399.99, now $349.00 at Amazon - Save 13%
The Meta Quest 3S represents a substantial upgrade from the Quest 2, yet retains the same price point. It incorporates many features found in the pricier Quest 3, including the enhanced Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss lauded the Quest 3S, stating, "The raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and responsive Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a standout standalone VR headset, introducing entry-level mixed-reality gaming to a broader audience for the first time."
What makes this deal stand out from other VR offers is the Quest 3S's ability to be used completely untethered. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a high-end 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 retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this competitive pricing, some trade-offs were necessary. Below is a comparison of the key specs:
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 is a near-equivalent to the Quest 3 but with less advanced optics. However, since both headsets use the same processor, the lower resolution can ease the load on the APU, potentially enhancing in-game performance and contributing to the improved battery life.
At this price, the Quest 3S offers unparalleled value compared to the Quest 3, making it the better choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was beyond your budget. The decision is even clearer when compared to the previous generation Quest 2.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
With over 30 years of collective experience, IGN's deals team is dedicated to finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and beyond. We prioritize transparency and only highlight deals from reputable brands that we have firsthand experience with. Our aim is to help you find the best value without misleading you. For more details on our process, visit our deals standards page, or follow the latest deals on IGN's Deals Twitter account.
