As I write this, Meta Connect 2024 is just a day away, which means we’re also just a day away from (hopefully) finally seeing the Meta Quest 3S in action. Connect is where many are hoping the much-leaked headset will make its debut. But its arrival could also be the end for one of the two Meta Quest 3 models, because leaks suggest the 128GB Quest 3 could be discontinued after the 3S launches.
This comes from two sources, @CezaryXR, the editor-in-chief of XRDailyNews, and @Lunayian, the source of most Quest 3S leaks, just before Meta. CezaryXR claims the Quest 3S will have two models: a 128GB variant at around $300, and a 256GB model at around $400 – this matches the pricing in that alleged leaked Amazon listing, and roughly lines up with the Quest 2’s pricing of $299 / £299 / AU$479 and $399 / £399 / AU$599 for its two models respectively.
Additionally, Meta will also stop production of the 128GB Quest 3 in mid-November, so when it sells out, it won't be coming back. Both current Quest 3 models (128GB and 512GB) will also be discounted.
Exclusive leak ahead of Meta Connect: Meta will stop production of the 128GB Quest 3 in mid-November, leaving only the 512GB variant. Both versions will be discounted until the 128GB stock runs out, after which only the 512GB model will be available.September 23, 2024
Lunayian shared the post, adding that they've “heard similar rumors,” however, neither source can confirm what prices the Meta Quest 3 headset will drop at.
In any case, it’s worth remembering to take these leaks with a grain of salt, though they do back up my strong advice to anyone interested in buying a VR headset right now: wait. While I do think a price cut for the Quest 3 makes sense (more on that below), whether or not it happens, the Quest 3S seems like a headset that’s at least worth considering — something that can’t be done until it’s official.
A double-edged price cut
One question I’ve had about the Quest 3S is how its value proposition will compare to the regular Quest 3. Yes, rumors say it will be bulkier and have slightly worse specs in areas like its display and RAM, but it will still feature an identical processor — though as long as these downgrades don’t impact its performance too much, the main deciding factor will be price.
And there’s a lot of room for error here. If the Quest 3S is too expensive, the Quest 3 will still be an obvious upgrade that kills off the new model; if it’s too cheap, sales of the regular Quest 3 could plummet (yes, older models do get replaced eventually, but VR headsets aren’t in the annual smartphone upgrade cycle yet (and they shouldn’t be).
That’s why I was starting to believe that the Quest 3S would start at around $350, or even $400, rather than being as cheap as the Quest 2 as many had hoped. However, the strategy outlined in the leak above is an alternative way to walk the pricing tightrope.
The removal of the cheaper Quest 3 helps create more of a distinction between the Quest 3S models and the high-end Quest 3, meaning we can have our super-affordable Quest 3S without as much risk of it cannibalizing its predecessor.
Unfortunately, while the Meta Quest 3 will see a price drop based on leaks, I suspect the 512GB model will sit a bit above the current $499/£479/AU$799 price of the 128GB version. If that’s the case, then when the 128GB model sells out, the Quest 3 would effectively get a price increase, which wouldn’t be ideal.
We’ll have to wait and see what’s announced at Meta Connect 2024 and beyond, but if the leaks are true, I’d recommend trying to grab a 128GB Meta Quest 3 while you can, as that seems like my pick for the best of the four Quest 3/3S models, and it may not be available for much longer.
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