Meta is known for being a bit secretive about the exact number of headsets it sells. However, one way to get a sense of its popularity is by looking at fresh downloads of the Meta Horizon app, which is necessary for its devices and can be found on Android and iOS platforms.
According to independent analyst Omdia, Game Developer, via Forbes, observed that Meta Horizon app downloads dipped by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year. Historically, Christmas has been when these downloads peak annually.
The chart below, from Omdia and Sensor Tower, highlights significant moments in Meta’s lineup of Quest headsets. It tracks milestones like the Quest 2’s release in October 2020 and its subsequent record sales, followed by the launch of Quest 3 in October 2023, and the Quest 3S in October 2024.
Now, let’s talk about the Quest 3S for a minute. This mixed reality headset comes with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset from Quest 3 and full-color mixed reality features, yet it retains the older displays and thicker Fresnel lenses from Quest 2. At $300, it offers great value, though we still suggest opting for the Quest 3 at $500 for a bit extra punch.
But don’t let the figures mislead you completely. The chart doesn’t count re-downloads, app updates, or downloads on new devices tied to existing accounts. Plus, it leaves out those upgrading from an older Quest model, like a jump from the Quest 2 to the Quest 3S.
Game Developer points out that other elements, like second-hand sales, sharing headsets, or even non-owners downloading the app just to browse the store, can obscure the picture if you try to directly link app downloads to headset sales.
When looking for more clues, one can turn to third-party sellers. Game Developer mentions that data from Amazon shows Meta moved over 160,000 Quest headsets in November 2024 in eight countries, a fall of 16% year-over-year on the retail giant’s platform. Two-thirds of these sales were for the Quest 3S, with the rest being the Quest 3.
Interestingly, the Quest 3S topped the console sales on Amazon US in 2024, outpacing top competitors like the Switch, PlayStation 5 Pro, and the updated Xbox Series S and X models.
The dip in app downloads and year-over-year Amazon sales hints at a waning excitement compared to the Quest 2 era, which set high standards. After Quest 2’s release, Meta saw app downloads more than double in the following year and nearly triple by Christmas.
The question remains: how aggressively will Meta push the Quest 3 and Quest 3S with promising, exclusive games to entice buyers as we near the holiday rush? To boost interest, Meta has discounted the 256GB Quest 3S by $50 temporarily, making it $350 and sweetening the deal with a free copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of their Quest+ game subscription.
Are we witnessing a slowdown in the VR market or just a shift in what consumers want? While the answer isn’t simple, it’s clear that Meta’s Quest line continues to play a leading role in shaping the consumer VR landscape. But could this dominance be challenged? Only time will tell, though Google’s likely hoping for a shake-up.
