Meta isn’t exactly forthcoming about the number of headsets it has sold, but there are hints we can follow to measure the platform’s reach. One method is by monitoring new downloads of its must-have companion app, Meta Horizon, which is available on Android and iOS.
According to independent analyst Omdia, as reported by Game Developer (and highlighted by Forbes), downloads of the Meta Horizon app saw a 27% drop on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the same day the previous year. Historically, this day sees the app’s highest download volume each year.
The chart below—thanks to Omdia and Sensor Tower—captures pivotal moments in Meta’s streak of Quest releases. It covers the launch of the Quest 2 in October 2020 with its record-breaking sales the following year, and goes on to show the release of Quest 3 in October 2023, followed by the Quest 3S in October 2024.
Quest 3S is Meta’s most recent mixed reality headset, blending the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset with vibrant color mixed reality features, while sticking with the older displays and bulkier Fresnel lenses of the Quest 2. If you’re budgeting around $300, it’s a great choice, although we still advise spending the extra to get the Quest 3 at $500.
However, the data only tells part of the story. It’s important to note that the chart doesn’t account for re-downloads, app updates, or downloads on additional devices linked to the same iOS or Google Play account. It also doesn’t reflect owners who upgrade or add new devices to their collection, such as moving from Quest 2 to Quest 3S.
As Game Developer points out, there are other factors complicating the direct correlation between app downloads and actual headset sales. These include second-hand transactions, headset sharing, and the curiosity-driven downloads from non-owners exploring the app store.
Absent official sales figures, retail data serves as another indicator. Game Developer reports that Meta sold over 160,000 Quest headsets in November 2024 through Amazon across eight countries, marking a 16% decrease year over year. Of these, two-thirds were Quest 3S units, with the rest being Quest 3.
Yet, the Quest 3S managed to secure its spot as the top-selling console on Amazon US in 2024, outpacing competitors like the Switch, PlayStation 5 Pro, and both refreshed Xbox Series S and X models.
Despite this impressive showing, the dip in app downloads and Amazon sales compared to the previous year’s figures could point to waning enthusiasm when measured against the heights reached by the Quest 2. Data from Omdia illustrates how the initial year of Quest 2 more than doubled app downloads, nearly tripling figures by Christmas.
The real question now is how committed Meta is to pushing the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, and the lengths to which it can go to bring big—and likely exclusive—games to market. Meta is keen to boost Quest 3S interest by lowering the price of its largest storage option (256GB) by $50 down to $350 temporarily, also bundling a copy of the well-received Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Quest+, the game subscription service.
While it’s unclear whether these patterns denote a plateau in the VR market or merely a shift in consumer preferences, Meta’s Quest line remains a dominant player in consumer VR. But perhaps change is on the horizon, and Google is certainly thinking about it.
