Meta has always played its cards close to the chest when it comes to revealing exact headset sales figures. However, there are a few indicators that hint at the platform’s popularity. One reliable measure is the number of new downloads for its essential companion app, Meta Horizon, available on both Android and iOS.
According to data sourced by independent analyst Omdia and reported by Game Developer via Forbes, downloads of the Meta Horizon app took a 27% dip on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year. This date typically marks the annual peak for app downloads.
The data charted by Omdia and Sensor Tower highlights significant milestones in Meta’s series of Quest headset launches, from the Quest 2 debut in October 2020 and its subsequent record-breaking sales, to the introduction of Quest 3 in October 2023, followed by the Quest 3S a year later in October 2024.
Now, let’s talk about the Quest 3S. It’s Meta’s latest mixed reality headset, equipped with the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, offering full-color mixed reality capabilities. However, it retains the older displays and bulkier Fresnel lenses from the Quest 2. For those sticking to a $300 budget, the Quest 3S is a solid option, although splurging on the $500 Quest 3 might be worthwhile if you can.
Despite these insights, the story isn’t entirely obvious. The chart doesn’t consider re-downloads, app updates, or app installations on additional devices linked to an existing iOS/Google Play account. It also misses users upgrading from a Quest 2 to a Quest 3S and adding new devices to their existing accounts.
Factors like second-hand sales, sharing headsets, or downloads made by non-owners just exploring the app store can obscure the link between app downloads and actual headset sales, as noted by Game Developer.
In lieu of official figures, third-party retailer data comes in handy. Game Developer shares insights from Amazon product listings, revealing that Meta sold over 160,000 Quest headsets in November 2024 across eight countries. This figure is 16% lower year-over-year on Amazon. Two-thirds of these headsets were Quest 3S, with the rest being Quest 3.
Interestingly, the Quest 3S was the best-selling console on Amazon in the US for 2024, surpassing the Switch, PlayStation 5 Pro, and both new versions of Xbox Series S and X.
Despite the app download drop and reduced Amazon sales year-over-year, it seems there might be a dip in excitement compared to when the Quest 2 was at the height of its popularity. Omdia’s data reveals a remarkable surge, more than doubling overall app downloads in the year following Quest 2’s launch, nearly tripling by the next Christmas.
Only time will tell how much Meta decides to bolster sales of Quest 3 and Quest 3S by funding exclusive, game-changing titles. Recently, to boost Quest 3S sales, Meta has offered a $50 discount on the 256GB model, now priced at $350 for a limited time. This comes along with a complimentary copy of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Quest+, Meta’s game subscription service.
It’s unclear whether these patterns indicate a plateau in the VR market or just a change in consumer interests, but one thing remains clear: Meta’s Quest line continues to hold its ground as a leader in consumer VR. Yet, is that dominance under threat? You can bet Google has its fingers crossed.
