Meta has unveiled a new entry-level mixed reality headset: the Meta Quest 3S. Pricing starts at $299.99 for the 128GB model and $399.99 for the 256GB model. Pre-orders are live on Meta’s website and will ship on October 15th, along with a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow. The Edge could a practical demo with the new Quest 3S, noting that it “brings a lot of what you can get on the Quest 3 to a much more affordable VR headset.”
As part of the reveal, Meta also announced that both the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro are being discontinued, streamlining the offering to these two Quest 3S models and the 512GB Meta Quest 3 for $499.99.
Although Meta has been promoting virtual reality for years, I still have vivid memories of trying one out very early Oculus Rift prototype more than 12 years ago — one of the major turning points was the release of the entry-level Meta Quest 2. It was this headset that eschewed the need for multiple external cameras or long cords tethering you to a gaming PC, opting instead for a self-contained experience, both in terms of hardware and software, all at a more tangible (though ever-fluctuating) price point. The new Quest 3S will reportedly be Meta’s new entry-level model for the coming years.