When it comes to sharing specific sales numbers for their headsets, Meta tends to keep things under wraps. But there are a few clues we can use to gauge the platform’s popularity, like the download frequencies of its required Meta Horizon companion app, available for both Android and iOS users.
According to data from independent analyst Omdia, reported by Game Developer via Forbes, there was a noticeable 27% decline in Meta Horizon app downloads on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year, 2023. Historically, this day sees the app’s highest download numbers each year.
The chart below, provided by Omdia and Sensor Tower, highlights key milestones in the launch timeline of Meta’s successive Quest models. This includes the Quest 2’s debut in October 2020, which marked a record-breaking year of sales, followed by the Quest 3 in October 2023, and the more recent Quest 3S release in October 2024.
Quest 3S, the latest offering, is packed with features like the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and full-color mixed reality, while still housing the Quest 2’s older displays and bulkier Fresnel lenses. It’s a solid choice at $300 if budget is a concern, but if you can stretch to $500, the Quest 3 remains the better pick.
That being said, the story doesn’t end there. The chart does not factor in re-downloads, app updates, or subsequent downloads on new devices tied to an existing iOS or Google Play account. It also skips users who might be upgrading from a Quest 2 to a Quest 3S.
Game Developer also points out other factors that could muddy the waters when linking app downloads directly to headset sales. These include the impact of second-hand sales, shared headset usage, and even non-owners downloading the app just to explore its store offerings.
Lacking official sales figures, we can also look at third-party retailers for insight. Game Developer, referencing data from Amazon product pages, highlights that Meta sold over 160,000 Quest headsets in November 2024 across eight countries. This marks a 16% year-over-year drop in sales on Amazon. Interestingly, two-thirds of those headsets were Quest 3S units, with the rest being Quest 3, according to reports.
On a more positive note, Quest 3S was Amazon US’s best-selling console in 2024, surpassing the likes of the Switch, PlayStation 5 Pro, and both the Xbox Series S and X updates.
Despite these findings, the dip in app downloads and Amazon sales might indicate a waning interest compared to the heyday of the Quest 2. Omdia’s data shows that following the Quest 2’s launch, app downloads more than doubled in the subsequent year and nearly tripled during the next Christmas season.
As we await the upcoming holiday season, the focus shifts to how much support Meta will throw behind the Quest 3 and Quest 3S. Much will depend on the big-budget, perhaps exclusive games Meta can roll out. To sweeten the deal for potential buyers, Meta temporarily slashed the price of the Quest 3S (256GB version) by $50, bringing it down to $350. This comes with a bonus of the highly-rated Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Quest+, the game subscription service.
Speculating on whether these trends hint at a plateau in the VR market or signify evolving consumer interests remains open for discussion. Yet, one thing is certain: Meta’s Quest series continues to lead the consumer VR charge.
But is the landscape shifting? Perhaps Google is banking on it.
