Meta's Quest 3S Is a Reality. Here's When You Can Get It

And a quick glimpse of what Quest may one day be

By
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Senior News Editor, Fact Checker
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Gulf Coast Community College
Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Published on September 25, 2024 02:49PM EDT
Meta News

At Meta Connect 2024, Zuckerberg announced the Meta Quest 3S, new RayBan Meta AI glasses, and Orion, the prototype of its holographic glasses.

Meta Connect is Meta's annular developer conference. At the event on Wednesday, the company announced the new Meta Quest 3S, improved Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses (with a new transparent model), and showed a preview of a prototype of the Orion holographic glasses.

The Meta Quest 3S was one of the most anticipated products at the announcement (and the one I've been waiting for). It's a lower-cost version of the Meta Quest 3 headset with lower storage capabilities. The new Quest 3S will be available in 128GB and 256GB versions, while the Quest 3 comes with 128GB (currently out of stock) or 512GB of storage. The biggest news, though, is that the Meta Quest 3S will cost $299 for the 128GB version, while the 256GB version is $399. And Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during the presentation that not much else has changed. You can pre-order the Quest 3S now and it will be available October 15.

Mark Zuckerberg talking about the Meta Quest 3 and 3S at Meta Connect 2024.
The Meta Quest 3S is a scaled down version of the Meta Quest 3.

In addition to the Meta Quest 3 headset, Zuck showed off new Ray-Ban Meta glasses that will be available in a limited edition clear frame. The AI glasses are also getting the benefit of transition and prescription lenses through a partnership with EssilorLuxottica.

Of course, adding to the capabilities of both, Meta is still expanding its Meta AI capabilities, for which natural voice interactions are rolling out today. These voice interactions will be available on all Meta apps, including Facebook and Instagram.

Mark Zuckerberg showing off the Orion holographic glasses during Meta Connect 2024.
Mark Zuckerberg showing off the Orion holographic glasses during Meta Connect 2024.

Finally, Zuckerberg showed off the Orion holographic glasses that the company has been working on for 10 years, he said. These glasses basically put a computer in a see-through lens that allows you to see the world while you're using its functions. It's currently connected to a wristband that Zuck says provides a "wrist neural interface," which allows even the slightest movements of your hand and wrist to send signals to the glasses that are translated into movement that can control features. There was no information on when these might be available, however, just the promise that the company is still working on them and they'll be available in the future.

It leaves you wondering (and maybe on purpose), is this the future of the Meta Quest headset?

Was this page helpful?