1. Meta’s current-gen VR headsets, Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3s, will see price increases globally due to the memory shortage.
2. The price hike brings the 512 GB Meta Quest 3 closer to its launch price of $650.
3. Despite rising prices, Meta Quest remains one of the few mainstream standalone VR options currently available.
4. The Steam Frame may offer a good deal in the future but is unlikely to be cheaper than Meta’s headsets.
VR Headsets Price Increase Due to Global Memory Shortage
After the release of consoles, handhelds, and laptops, another item that saw a price increase because of the ongoing global memory shortages are VR headsets. UploadVR reports that the companies behind VR hardware, especially Meta, are planning to bump up the prices for their current-gen models. The updated prices will take effect starting this Sunday, and it will apply across all markets where these headsets are officially sold. So if you plan on getting one soon, be prepared for a higher price point.
Price Details and Market Impact
The new prices make the 512 GB Meta Quest 3 closer to its original launch price of $650. Currently, Meta Quest 3 starts at $499 for the base model, and the Meta Quest 3S still begins at $299. With these increased prices, potential buyers should consider purchasing sooner rather than later, especially if they are eyeing these headsets. The price hike signals the impact of ongoing supply chain issues and the worldwide shortage of memory chips that is affecting various electronic devices.
Current Standalone VR Options and Market Overview
The VR market currently has limited options for mainstream standalone devices. The Quest remains one of the only readily available headsets that offers versatility and convenience. While the Steam Deck is still in testing and development, its release isn’t concrete yet and might not be priced competitively compared to Meta’s offerings. On the upside, the Quest headset isn’t just for standalone VR gaming—it also can connect to PCs, making it a dual-purpose device capable of handling high-end VR titles on a computer, as well as local standalone games.