Quest headsets are generally understood to be a loss chief. Analysts consider that Meta loses cash with each unit bought. The technique has been an enormous win for market share, because the social media large is ready to dramatically undercut competitors like HTC Vive. It’s to this point been much less of a victory for the corporate’s backside line. At its Meta Join 2024 keynote Wednesday, the corporate unveiled a fair cheaper model of its combined actuality headset.
With a $300 beginning worth, the Meta Quest 3S is a full $200 cheaper than the Quest 3. Clearly Meta’s technique of flooding the market with units remains to be in full impact with this one.
“Quest 3S is the best headset for those new to mixed reality and immersive experiences and for those who might’ve been waiting for a low-cost upgrade from Quest and Quest 2,” Meta notes in a weblog publish.
Whereas the Quest 2 and Quest Professional are formally being sundown with this information, Quest 3 is sticking round with its personal worth drop. The 512GB mannequin drops from $650 to $500. Meta may even be bundling the brand new Batman: Arkham Shadow title and three months of subscription to Quest+ with all purchases of a Quest 3 or 3S.
Meta has, naturally, made some cuts to drive the brand new mannequin’s beginning worth all the way down to $300. That features fairly a bit much less storage at 128GB, although if that’s not sufficient, you will get the 256GB mannequin for $100 extra. The 3S additionally sports activities a downgrade show. In truth, it’s the identical 1832×1920 decision show discovered within the Quest 2; that is, little doubt, the one largest cost-cutting measure, down from the Quest 3’s 2064×2208.
The sphere of view can be the identical as with the Quest 2, at 96H/90V, versus the three’s 110H/96V. The 3S is a gram lighter than the three and 9 grams heavier than the two. The mannequin additionally has one of the best common battery life, regardless of sporting a smaller battery than the one within the 3.
Judging the spec rundown, Meta might simply as simply have named the brand new headset the Quest 2.5. That mentioned, the 3S sports activities 8GB of RAM just like the Quest 3, together with the identical Snapdragon XR Gen 2 chip.
The Meta Quest 3S is up for preorder Wednesday. It begins delivery October 15.
