Meta has to know what it’s doing, as a result of for the second time in as many weeks it has leaked the Meta Quest 3S – this time its subsequent VR headset made a cameo within the background of a video filmed by its CTO.
In a video highlighting the brand new mixed-reality upgrades arriving as a part of Horizon OS replace v66 which Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth posted on Threads, we see a view of somebody’s residence workplace with some form of Meta Quest headset on a desk within the background.
The factor is, this Quest system doesn’t look like something we recognise. It appears to be like too cumbersome to be a Meta Quest 3, whereas it has cameras within the incorrect locations and it is not spherical sufficient to be a Quest 2. The white plastic cladding additionally confirms it’s not an unique Quest or Quest Professional.
As a substitute, it appears to be like practically equivalent to the leaked Quest 3S design. Luna – the leaker sharing the majority of the Quest 3S information – took to Twitter to level out this unintended teaser, which Bosworth then replied to, saying “love that greater high quality video over on Threads…”
love that greater high quality video over on Threads…June 4, 2024
That is removed from a affirmation, however mixed with the Quest 3S showing unintentionally on some Meta Quest Retailer pages it appears very possible that the so-called cheaper Quest 3 mannequin is coming quickly; most definitely at Meta Join 2024 which Meta revealed is going down on September 25 and 26.
That stated, with all these leaks Meta might make an earlier official teaser forward of its wider reveal later this yr to try to regain some management over the state of affairs.
It’s time to eat my hat
I used to be satisfied the Meta Quest 3S wouldn’t return to the Oculus Quest 2’s cumbersome design after I first noticed the leaks. I totally anticipated Meta to prioritize consolation as this was a significant critique in Imaginative and prescient Professional evaluations – Meta’s most excessive profile rival.
As a substitute I used to be ready to see it shave off the value by utilizing decrease high quality shows, much less RAM, cheaper supplies, or maybe utilizing a much less spectacular mixed-reality digicam system. Heck, with all of the hand-tracking updates we have seen, I wouldn’t have been surpised if the controllers had been let go – even when that wouldn’t be an incredible thought general.
However with this newest leak I’ve to just accept that I used to be incorrect. The Quest 3S does look to be a Quest 3 within the Quest 2’s cumbersome physique. The one remaining query is how a lot will it price?
That is the place I’m a little bit fearful. If the Quest 3S isn’t the technical downgrade I used to be anticipating, can a worth drop to the Quest 2’s launch worth of $299 / £299 / AU$479 be justified? I imply, Meta can do no matter it desires, however pricing the 3S shall be a problem.
If it goes too low – which $299 / £299 / AU$479 feels prefer it could be – can we justify spending $499 / £479 / AU$799 on the full-on Meta Quest 3? If Meta as a substitute goals greater, possibly $399 / £399 / AU$599, then this gained’t really feel just like the price range Quest 2 alternative leaks have teased the system to be – and begs the query if it’s not simply price spending that bit additional to get the full-on Quest 3.
Not less than even when Meta does go for the cheaper finish of the size it gained’t anyplace near as massive a burn to Meta Quest 3 clients as when it teased the Quest 3 because it’s “strongest headset but” lower than six months after it launched the Quest Professional – with it then promoting the Quest 3 for less than a 3rd of the Professional’s unique worth.
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