A new Meta VR headset approved by the FCC could point to the launch of a new device that could be the company's more affordable follow-up to the rumored Quest 3S or Quest 3.
Update (September 24, 2024): A new VR headset is coming from Meta. The FCC certification documents were released on Sunday, and that certification usually comes just a few days before a new Meta product is released. A separate certification has also surfaced on third-party testing and certification site Dekra.
With Meta Connect coming towards the end of the month, it looks like we're only three weeks away from finding out for sure – assuming we don't see any of the usual pre-launch leaks.
The original article covering the previous 'Quest 3S' name leak is below:
Original Article (May 31, 2024): In early 2023, it was revealed that Meta was working on a new Quest headset that would launch in 2024, with the company stating that it hoped it would make the platform more accessible to consumers. Now, the 'Quest 3S' naming scheme has recently appeared on an app listing, seemingly confirming previous rumors about Meta's next headset.
As seen in the Quest Store listing for the XR fitness app Carrying Alo XRThe name 'Quest 3S' has been revealed, indicating the company's next glasses.
It's not yet clear whether this is the 'more accessible' (cheaper) headset in question, but it's a good bet.
You might think this is just a mistake. any studio, Carrying Alo XR It's published by Meta and developed by Magnopus, the same studio that worked with Meta to create an open source Unity demo to showcase some of the most interesting things you can do in MR.
It's unclear when Meta expects to announce the so-called Quest 3S, which has also been referred to as the 'Quest 3 Lite' in previous rumors. Its next big opportunity will be Connect 2024, which usually takes place in October. The company usually announces headsets there, so we'll have to wait and see (see update).
Meta, meanwhile, has dropped the price of the Quest 2, dropping the 128GB version of its 2020-era standalone VR headset to just $200. This comes as the company repositions itself as more of a platform holder and not a sole manufacturer, evidenced by the announcement that it will be offering its XR operating system to third-party OEMs for the first time. This is set to include XR devices running Meta’s HorizonOS, from its three initial partners: ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox, and promises that a number of standalone devices similar to the Quest will be coming to the forefront in the near future.