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Title: Meta Quest 3S Data Points to Potential Challenges Ahead for VR Enthusiasts

The recently launched Meta Quest 3S VR headset seems to be lacking the significant impact of its predecessor, the Quest 2, as suggested by market analysts' data.

Title: meta quest 3s promotional extravaganza
Title: meta quest 3s promotional extravaganza

Title: Meta Quest 3S Data Points to Potential Challenges Ahead for VR Enthusiasts

It seems the Meta Quest 3S, a key player in expanding the virtual reality (VR) audience, isn't living up to expectations based on recent analyst data and Christmas 2024 sales figures. According to Game Developer's data collection, there was a notable decrease in downloads of the Meta Quest app required for setting up a Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset.

To be precise, app downloads plummeted by 21% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year. While this isn't definitive proof of underperformance, it's a strong hint pointing in that direction.

Backtracking a little, the surge in app downloads during the late 2023 period can be attributed to the Quest 3's launch in October that year. That said, the Quest 3S's more affordable price tag of $299 was supposed to lure in a new wave of VR enthusiasts. However, the impact of this lower cost wasn't as substantial as some anticipated.

Delving a step deeper, analyst firm Omdia's graph shows that Christmas peaks for app downloads had hit their zenith in late 2023 and early 2021. The 2021 peak reflects the overwhelming popularity of the Quest 2, which has already sold over 20 million headsets, making it a resounding success.

However, the plot thickens: Meta confessed in 2023 that it had struggled with user retention post-purchase. With so many Quest owners sharing similar experiences (loving VR but leaving their headsets idle for extended periods), it's uncertain if the Quest 3S will manage to buck the trend.

Revising the original text, we get:

Swinging the focus to potential alternatives, headsets capable of providing the same engaging, console-like experience as Quest 3S are still far from materializing. One potential route to growth lies in smart glasses, with Meta making inroads through its Ray-Ban tie-in.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses allow users to capture videos, make calls, and interact with the voice assistant. A rumor circulates about an upcoming model with a heads-up screen. While this isn't great news for VR enthusiasts, Meta's Reality Labs division, responsible for Quest headsets and the Metaverse project, has reportedly lost around $58 billion since its inception in 2020.

In summary, the Meta Quest 3S's performance has been underwhelming based on app downloads and sales figures during the Christmas 2024 period. Despite a lower price point and promising features, the Quest 3S has failed to significantly increase the VR user base.

Despite the Meta Quest 3S being advertised as a more affordable option to expand the VR audience, the decrease in Quest 3S app downloads by 21% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year suggests a lackluster performance. The meta quest, meant to attract new VR enthusiasts, seems to have missed its mark with the Quest 3S, as the impact of its lower cost wasn't as substantial as anticipated.

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