Meta is poised to unveil a cutting-edge, budget-friendly virtual reality (VR) headset later this year, slated to replace its wildly popular Meta Quest 2, currently the globe’s most sought-after VR device. With numerous digital devices following suit, leaks about the upcoming combined reality headset from Meta have become commonplace, with details on its appearance, specifications, and more emerging ahead of the official announcement.
Here: Right away, there are murmurs about the impending “Lite” iteration of the Quest 3, allegedly dubbed the Quest 3S by Meta.
Quest 3S affirmation
Meta confirmed the title of its Quest 3 virtual reality headset near the top of May, directly from themselves. The seemingly unintentional leak of information originated on a Meta app store webpage for the VR yoga app Alo Moves XR.
Does Meta list supported units under the order button for all Quest VR video games and apps? Initially, the Alo Strix XR webpage supported compatibility with the Meta Quest 3, Quest Pro, and Quest 2 for a brief period, as expected. Despite this, the listing commenced with a VR headset that had never been mentioned by Meta: the Quest 3S. I quickly captured a screenshot on my phone before Meta removed the post above. The models without underlines are notable for their lack of prominent branding on the headset itself.
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The anticipated launch date for Meta’s Quest 3S headset is scheduled to occur at Meta’s Connect conference on September 25, 2024, with a possible early release shortly after. Despite this, we still have three months to go.
As Quest 2 supplies dwindle at Meta and stocks are critically low everywhere else, it’s a compelling reason to expedite the launch of Quest 3S. Despite this, we don’t foresee a competitor emerging with comparable value. Meta may seize this opportunity to gain insight into how the Quest 3 will drive growth as a budget-friendly option.
Meta’s Quest 2 stands out as a budget-friendly option for immersive and engaging VR gaming experiences, all within a reasonable price range of $300. That’s why it stands out as one of the highest-rated virtual reality headsets on our definitive list of the best VR devices for several consecutive months.
While pricing details remain unclear, certain assumptions can be made in light of the Quest 2’s value. Meta began marketing the 128GB Quest 2 at a discounted price of $300 in 2020. By 2022, the worth had already reached $400, preceding the highly anticipated launch of the $500 Quest 3 in 2023.
Recently, Meta reduced the value of its Quest 2 virtual reality headset to $250, and subsequently lowered it again to a price point of $200. As the product’s value increases before its launch, it’s logical to assume that introducing a lower-priced headset is imminent? Clearing out old inventory makes room for fresh arrivals.
Based on Quest 2’s launch price and leaked Quest 3 specifications, it is likely that Meta will retail the Quest 3 for a starting price of $300. Meta’s most affordable headsets could become even more competitive by pairing perfectly with budget-friendly gaming consoles.
Quest 2 out of inventory
As rumors suggest Meta is set to replace its ageing Meta Quest 2 with a new low-cost variant, the Quest 3S, which will likely be a stripped-down version of the high-performing Quest 3 VR headset.
Quest 2 inventory levels began declining at the onset of 2024 as 256GB variants sold out quickly on Meta’s online store. Recently, Meta showcased its entire product lineup.
Several Quest 2 VR headset models remain available for purchase at select retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, although many others currently display low-stock warnings. Given the Quest 3’s $500 price tag, Meta needs to address the budget-conscious market gap swiftly?
Quest 3S leak
Despite a single significant leak, we’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of Quest 3S’s potential capabilities, allowing for a direct comparison with the outgoing Quest 2 and Meta’s flagship headset, the Quest Pro.
A Meta enthusiast named Luna allegedly shared images on former Twitter platform, purportedly taken during a Meta employee’s analysis session with Redditor LuffySanKira. The Reddit submission appears to be inaccessible, likely due to a technical issue or server maintenance. The promotional visuals resemble sales literature for the Meta Quest 3S, boasting vivid images and technical details.
The purported Meta Quest 3S is rumored to retain the same advanced processing unit found in its predecessor, the Quest 3, alongside identical Contact Plus controllers, color-pass-through cameras for seamless augmented reality experiences, and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The Oculus Quest headsets typically come in two prominent configurations, while the Quest 3S potentially offers 128GB and 256GB storage options.
To justify its higher price point, the Quest 3S should likely incorporate compromises elsewhere. Leaked images suggest that the Oculus Quest 3S may feature a display resolution similar to that of the Quest 2, spread across a single panel, which can be adjusted to accommodate different eye spacings via three lens positions, retaining the use of older Fresnel lenses. The Oculus Quest 3 features a reliable interpupillary distance (IPD) lens adjustment, dual displays, and more transparent pancake lenses.
Quest 3S with out controllers?
Some speculate that Meta might potentially market the Quest 3S without controllers, thereby reducing its price further. Meta is reportedly considering offering a $200-$250 Quest 3S device as a media consumption alternative to iPads and TVs, potentially blurring the lines between virtual and physical screens. A VR headset’s digital screens can envelop the room, rendering a cinematic experience anywhere.
As a key aspect of the gaming experience, virtual reality (VR) requires intuitive and specialized controllers to fully immerse users in various video games. While it’s uncertain whether Quest 3S will initially ship without controllers, it’s likely that Meta will offer bundles featuring controllers and promote them separately. While Quest Professional is designed for business use, its capabilities are similar to those of the Quest 2, allowing it to run the same VR games.
Upgrading Quest 2 homeowners
While Meta has paved the way for its latest virtual reality headset, Quest 3, hundreds of thousands of existing Quest 2 owners remain hesitant to upgrade. With its impressive sales figures, the Oculus Quest 2 has emerged as the leading virtual reality (VR) headset in the market, holding a significant lead over its competitors.
Meta continuously updates this popular gaming headset’s system software to incorporate fresh features, options, and performance enhancements.
While efficiency enhancements alone can bring significant benefits, it’s the outdated tools that hinder game developers from leveraging the latest technologies, thus limiting their creative potential.
Meta urges Quest 2 owners to upgrade to newer, even more advanced headsets, incentivizing developers to craft longer VR experiences with expansive, meticulously crafted environments, razor-sharp high-resolution visuals, and vividly rendered mixed reality scenarios.
Upcoming VR video games are already leveraging the capabilities of the Meta Quest 3. It won’t even work on the 2022 Quest Professional. If the Quest 3S boasts strong overall performance capabilities and shares the same processor as the Quest 3, it should be compatible with games that would otherwise be exclusive to the Quest 3?
