After months of circulating rumors and supposed leaks, Meta has this week (September 25) announced the Quest 3S headset.
While it looks like a combination of the previous Quest 2 and Quest 3, it comes at a cheaper price point making it the most budget-friendly version Meta has released so far.
It will hit shelves with a price tag of $299.99 USD or there’s an option for more storage with the 256GB option for $399.99 USD. The product has entered pre-order stage and will be available on its launch on October 15.
In a blog post announcement, the team described the headset as being best “for those new to mixed reality and immersive experiences” and “for those who might’ve been waiting for a low-cost upgrade.”
The headset will incorporate several features from its more expensive counterparts, including keeping the same full-color mixed reality that Quest 3 has. It’ll also be powered by the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform that was developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies.
The main differences are said to be in the headset design, including with the Fresnel lenses which will have a slightly narrower field of view.
The Quest 3S will be compatible with thousands of apps and games, but won’t work with all of Quest 3’s accessories including the controller-specific Charging Dock, Active Straps, Elite Strap, Elite Strap with Battery, the Link cable, and the Carrying Case and Compact Carrying Case.
As Quest 3S is introduced, Quest 2 and Pro are on the way out
Shortly after the new product has entered the market, Meta Quest 2 and Pro will be leaving as Meta decides to wind down sales.
“We’ll be selling our remaining headsets through the end of the year or until they’re gone, whichever comes first.”
That’s not the only change either, as the price of the 512GB Quest 3 will be reduced going forward from $649.99 to $499.99 USD.
The 128GB version will be phased out, with the price going down to $429.99 USD while supplies last.
Featured Image: Via Meta’s Blog