Meta tends to keep its sales numbers under wraps, but we can get a sense of the headset’s appeal by looking at the download stats for the essential Meta Horizon app, compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
According to data shared by an independent analyst group Omdia and reported by Game Developer through Forbes, the Meta Horizon app downloads dipped by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year, marking what’s typically the app’s peak downloading period.
A chart provided by Omdia and Sensor Tower highlights significant events in the journey of Meta’s Quest series. It shows the launch of the Quest 2 in October 2020, which achieved record sales the following year, followed by the release of Quest 3 in October 2023 and the Quest 3S in October 2024.
For those curious, the Quest 3S represents Meta’s recent foray into mixed reality. This headset is equipped with the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and supports full-color mixed reality. However, it uses the older displays and bulkier Fresnel lenses from the Quest 2. If you’re budget-conscious, the Quest 3S at $300 is a solid choice, though if you can stretch the budget to $500, the Quest 3 is a worthy upgrade.
However, to get the full picture, it’s important to note that the chart doesn’t account for re-downloads, app updates, or new downloads on additional devices tied to existing iOS or Google Play accounts. It also overlooks users who buy a new headset, like transitioning from the Quest 2 to the Quest 3S.
Game Developer further mentions other factors that blur the correlation between app downloads and headset sales. These factors include second-hand vending, shared headset usage, and downloads by non-owners merely browsing the app store.
In the absence of concrete sales data, third-party retailers offer another lens to view these trends. Game Developer references Amazon product page data, indicating that Meta sold over 160,000 Quest headsets across eight countries in November 2024, down 16% from the previous year. Out of these, two-thirds were Quest 3S units, with the rest being Quest 3, according to reports.
Interestingly, the Quest 3S topped Amazon’s console sales in the US for 2024, outpacing heavyweights like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 Pro, and both Xbox Series S and X updates.
Despite this, the drop in app downloads and declining Amazon sales suggest a waning excitement compared to the Quest 2 era, which set quite a high benchmark. Omdia’s data previously showed that app downloads more than doubled in the year following the Quest 2’s debut, almost tripling by the next Christmas season.
The true test for Meta will be how it drives interest in the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, alongside funding major, potentially exclusive games that could stir consumer interest as we approach the holiday period. In a bid to boost Quest 3S sales, Meta has temporarily slashed the price of its 256GB model by $50, making it $350, bundled with a free copy of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month subscription to Quest+, their gaming subscription service.
Are we seeing a peak in VR craze or a shift in what consumers value? It’s hard to say, but one thing stands out: Meta’s Quest series continues to lead the way in the consumer VR arena. But could there be change on the horizon? Google is probably banking on it.
