Meta is about to announce the Quest 3S, the economical version of its VR headset

Meta seems to have confirmed the name of its next virtual reality headset: the Quest 3S. This information surfaced thanks to a Quest Store listing spotted by UploadVR, which included the Quest 3S as a supported device along with other headsets such as the Quest 3, Quest Pro and Quest 2. The news has sparked numerous speculations regarding the features and price of the new device.

A more accessible VR headset

The Quest 3S could represent a cheaper version of the Quest 3, which launches in October 2023. While the full specifications of the Quest 3S have not yet been revealed, there are several conflicting rumors. In March, a leaked image showed a possible Quest 3S without passthrough cameras, suggesting a more basic model. However, a recent leak claims that the Quest 3S could have dual 4MP RGB passthrough cameras, which would significantly improve the user experience.

Mark Rabkin, vice president of Meta’s VR division, had mentioned in a presentation a cheaper headset, code-named Ventura, as part of the company’s product roadmap. Rabkin had stated that the goal was “offer maximum performance at the most competitive price in the VR market”. This could confirm Meta’s intention to expand its audience by making virtual reality more accessible.

Impact on the VR market

The inclusion of the Quest 3S in the Quest Store’s app listings, such as Alo Moves The Quest 3S could play a crucial role in lowering the economic barrier of entry for new users, thus broadening the user base of Meta’s VR ecosystem.

In an increasingly competitive market, the Quest 3S could be the key for Meta to consolidate its leading position. By offering a high-performance device at a lower price, Meta could appeal not only to new users, but also to those who were skeptical about the cost of high-end VR headsets.