As I’m penning this, Meta Join 2024 is only a day away, which suggests we’re additionally only a day away from (hopefully) lastly seeing the Meta Quest 3S in motion – Join is the place many count on the much-leaked headset will make its debut. However its arrival is also the top of one of many two Meta Quest 3 fashions, as a result of leaks counsel the 128GB Quest 3 may very well be discontinued after the 3S launch.
This comes from two sources, @CezaryXR – Editor-In-Chief at XRDailyNews – and @Lunayian – the supply of most Quest 3S leaks, simply forward of Meta itself. CezaryXR claims that the Quest 3S may have two fashions: a 128GB variant at round $300 and a 256GB mannequin at round $400; this matches the value in that supposed leaked Amazon advert, and aligns roughly with the Quest 2’s costs of $299 / £299 / AU$479 and $399 / £399 / AU$599 for its two fashions respectively.
What’s extra, Meta can even reportedly cease manufacturing of the 128GB Quest 3 by mid-November – so when it sells out it received’t come again. Each present Quest 3 fashions (128GB and 512GB) can be discounted too.
Unique Leak earlier than Meta Join:Meta will cease manufacturing of the 128GB Quest 3 by mid-November, leaving solely the 512GB variant.Each variations can be discounted till the 128GB inventory runs out, after which solely the 512GB mannequin can be accessible.September 23, 2024
Lunayian shared the publish including they “heard related whispers” – nevertheless neither supply can verify what costs the Meta Quest 3 headsets will fall to.
In both case, it’s value remembering to take these leaks with a pinch of salt, nevertheless they do assist my one large piece of recommendation for anybody eager to purchase a VR headset proper now: wait. Whereas I believe a Quest 3 worth drop is smart (extra on that beneath) whether or not it occurs or not the Quest 3S seems set to be a headset not less than value contemplating – one thing you possibly can’t do till it’s official.
A double-edged worth lower
One query I’ve had concerning the Quest 3S is how its worth proposition will stack up towards the common Quest 3. Sure the rumors say it’ll be bulkier, and have barely worse specs in areas like its show and RAM – however nonetheless boast an equivalent processor – although so long as these downgrades don’t have an effect on its efficiency too massively, the primary deciding issue can be worth.
And right here there’s a whole lot of room for error. Make the Quest 3S too expensive and the Quest 3 will stay a no brainer improve killing the brand new mannequin, make it too low cost and the common Quest 3’s gross sales may tank – sure older fashions get changed ultimately, however VR headsets usually are not but on the yearly refresh cycle of smartphones (they usually shouldn’t be).
This is the reason I used to be beginning to persuade myself the Quest 3S would begin at round $350, and even $400 relatively than being as low cost because the Quest 2 like many hoped. The technique outlined within the leak above nevertheless is another technique to stroll this pricing tightrope.
Eliminating the cheaper Quest 3 helps to create extra of a distinction between the Quest 3S fashions and the highest of the road Quest 3, which means we will have our super-affordable Quest 3S with out as a lot threat of it cannibalizing its predecessor.
Sadly, whereas the Meta Quest 3 will get a worth drop in keeping with the leaks, I believe the 512GB mannequin will land a little bit above the 128GB model’s present worth of $499 / £479 / AU$799. If that’s the case, then when the 128GB mannequin sells out the Quest 3 would get an efficient worth improve, which wouldn’t be supreme.
We’ll have to attend and see what’s introduced at Meta Join 2024 and past, but when the leaks maintain true I’d advocate making an attempt to grab up a 128GB Meta Quest 3 whilst you can as that’s trying like my choose for the perfect of the 4 Quest 3/3S fashions, and it may not be round for for much longer.
You may additionally like