Meta Quest 3S is expected to launch as an affordable version of the company’s Quest 3 headset and while the company has yet to confirm the existence of such a device, it has reportedly been listed on a certification website.
It was previously claimed that Meta was working on a more premium offering than the Meta Quest 3 to challenge Apple’s Vision Pro headset, but a recent report hints that the company has abandoned that plan and will instead focus on developing a cheaper, more affordable alternative.
A new VR headset from Meta has been listed on the DERKA certification website. No other information other than the company name and the product type has been confirmed in the listing. It is rumored to be the anticipated Merta Quest 3S AR/VR headset. It’s imperative to note that this nomenclature has not been confirmed by the company, but has appeared in the previous leaks.
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Meta Quest 3S Expected Launch Timeline, Price
In a recent edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that the Meta Quest 3S could be launched during the Meta Connect conference, slated to be held on September 25 and September 26. It is expected to be priced at $300 or $400.
The current generation Meta Quest 3 launched in June 2023, starting at $499.99 for the 128GB option. The higher 512GB version comes at $649.99. Gurman suggested in his newsletter that a move to market a cheaper mixed reality headset, such as the rumored Meta Quest 3S, might put the company in an advantageous position over its rival Apple.
For context, Apple’s Vision Pro starts at a whopping $3,500 for the 128GB variant. The 512GB and 1TB variants are priced at $3,699 and $3,899 respectively. The newsletter added that the alleged Meta Quest 3S could likely come without controllers. Even if some of the headsets sell with controllers in the box, they would likely not be the same ones as the ones users get with Meta Quest 3.
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Meta Shuts Doors Of Its Ready At Dawn VR Studios
Ready at Dawn Studios has closed its doors after over two decades of developing games for platforms such as the PSP and the Meta Quest (formerly Oculus Rift). The company, which was said to be working on the Lone Echo VR series for parent firm Oculus Studios, is closing effective immediately.
As per a report from Android Central, the cuts were done to make sure that “Reality Labs stays within the new budgetary constraints and that Oculus Studios can make a ‘better long-term impact’ in VR development.” the parent company is also encouraging fired workers to apply to other jobs within Oculus Studios.