In the grand theater of tech promises, few narratives have been as persistent—or as persistently wrong—as the imminent death of television.
First it was the internet, then smartphones, and now virtual reality headsets are supposedly poised to render our flat screens obsolete.
Yet here we are in 2025, and the Meta Quest 3, despite its impressive mixed reality capabilities, hasn’t exactly sent TV manufacturers into bankruptcy court.
Meta Quest 3 vs 3S vs Reality, Comfort, and the Limits of Living in a Headset
The Meta Quest 3 is arguably the most advanced consumer VR headset on the market—sleek, wireless, loaded with a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, and bursting with 4K(ish) visuals.
Its pass-through colour cameras and mixed reality experiences flirt with the idea of a future beyond flat screens.
So, if it’s that good, why do most of us still default to a good old 55-inch TV and a bowl of popcorn?
The answer isn’t just tech specs—it’s people.
The Quest 3 Is Built for the Future… but Lives in the Present
Compared to its younger sibling, the Meta Quest 3S, the original Quest 3 holds the high ground: 2064×2208 per-eye resolution, pancake lenses, continuous IPD adjustment, and a wider field of view.
In practice, that means sharper detail, better ergonomics for most users, and visuals that actually feel immersive—at least until you try to read small text in your living room and realise it’s still not quite there yet.
Meanwhile, the Quest 3S is the cheaper compromise. Still good. Still colour pass-through. But it trades sharpness and comfort for accessibility.
Think of it as the Ikea flatpack version of spatial computing—you’ll get there eventually, but it might wobble a bit.
But It’s Still Not a Living Room Staple
Nick Pino, a veteran TV reviewer, put it bluntly: VR hasn’t replaced TVs because TVs are easier, cheaper, and don’t make you nauseous.
And he’s not wrong.
VR headsets like the Quest 3 can offer you the illusion of a theatre-sized screen in a shoebox apartment—but only if you’re willing to strap a plastic visor to your face for two hours.
It’s a hard sell when your OLED flatscreen just exists on the wall and doesn’t require software updates, battery charges, or the patience of a monk to adjust comfort settings mid-Netflix binge.
Comfort Is a Dealbreaker (and Meta Knows It)
The Quest 3 is lighter and more balanced than the Quest 2, yes. But even Mitch Wallace, who tested the headset for Forbes, admitted the headset feels cramped with glasses, and that four hours of continuous VR would be, and we quote, “a recipe for vomit”.
Meta has tried to patch this up with optional Elite Straps and even prescription lens inserts—but none of this comes bundled in the base £499 box.
Add that, and you’re edging closer to Apple Vision Pro territory—a headset that costs around £3,500 and still hasn’t convinced anyone outside of a tech demo to watch Bridgerton in 3D space.
The Mixed Reality Moment
Now, let’s talk about the one feature that does set the Quest 3 apart: mixed reality.
Games like Starship Home, First Encounters, and the oddly relaxing meditation app Pillow show that Meta’s real bet isn’t on replacing your TV—it’s on transforming your home into a living interface.
Imagine watching your dog walk across the living room while aliens crawl across your ceiling.
That’s where the Quest 3 shines: not in competing with TVs, but in creating entirely new categories of entertainment.
Still, we’re not there yet. The colour passthrough is an improvement over the Quest 2’s grainy grayscale feed—but it’s still more VCR than IMAX.
The Real Hurdle: You
Meta has the hardware. Developers are catching up with compelling content. But adoption numbers? Not so compelling.
According to Counterpoint Research, VR headset sales declined 12% year over year in 2024.
Only 5 million units were sold globally—versus 230 million TVs. And TVs are getting cheaper while VR headsets remain premium-priced experiments in futurism.
Oh, and there’s the social aspect. Watching Dune alone in a headset? Cool.
Watching it with your partner across a couch with snacks? Irreplaceable.
So… Should You Ditch Your TV?
Short answer: no.
Longer answer: not yet.
The Meta Quest 3 is the best argument we’ve had so far for a screenless future, but it’s still a luxury toy for enthusiasts, not a mainstream replacement.
The Quest 3S lowers the barrier to entry but also reminds us what you give up when you cut the price tag.
If you’re curious about mixed reality or want a genuinely untethered VR experience, the Quest 3 is your go-to.
But if you’re just looking to watch Stranger Things and not feel like your head’s being vacuum-sealed, that OLED in your lounge still reigns supreme.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are based on publicly available data and first-hand reviews. We recommend conducting your own research before making any purchase. All features and prices accurate at the time of writing.
