The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition VR headset is already out of stock on Meta’s official website, just days after it was released. The Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S went on sale earlier this week in extremely limited quantities, and it is now out of stock at one of the four retail stores that offer the headset.
The Quest 3S Xbox Edition is the outcome of a collaboration by Meta and Microsoft, which began in 2022 with Xbox Cloud Gaming compatibility on Quest headsets and will continue in 2023 with Game Pass integration on Quest 3. The Quest 3S Xbox Edition now provides fans with a VR headgear that is distinctly Xbox-themed without the need for a dedicated system. Given Microsoft’s previously lackadaisical attitude toward VR technology, this is one of the clearest indications yet of the gaming giant’s readiness to collaborate rather than compete directly in the mixed-reality field.
Shortly after the Quest 3S Xbox Edition was released for $399.99 in such limited quantities that Microsoft stated “once they’re gone, they’re gone,” the headset is already completely sold out on Meta’s online marketplace. This was one of two retailers in the United States where the Quest 3S Xbox Edition was available; the other was Best Buy, which still has the headset in stock but lists a July 10 delivery date that seemed abnormally far away. On the other side of the Atlantic, UK shops Argos and EE have the Quest 3S Xbox Edition in store, with delivery expected within two to three days.
Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition Sells Out on Meta Store; Still in Stock at Other Retailers
While it’s difficult to predict the Quest 3S Xbox Edition’s broader appeal without knowing the exact number of available units, the fact that it sold out on the Meta store – which is likely to have the most stock – before all other retailers suggests VR and Xbox fans are interested in the headset. It’s easy to see why: for only $100 more than the standard Meta Quest 3S, the Xbox Edition bundle includes a matching limited-edition Xbox controller, Elite Strap, and three-month trials of the Meta Horizon+ and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription services.
However, adoption of the Quest 3S Xbox Edition appears to be slower in the UK, most likely due to its retail price of £380 ($521) – a 30% price difference. However, things could change in the following days. Notably, Microsoft is also preparing to release another Xbox-branded gadget later this year: the Asus ROG Xbox Ally. The portable was introduced earlier this month at the Xbox Games Showcase, and according to new sources, the ROG Xbox Ally might be priced between $700 and $1,000.
