Even though it has been over a year since its release, Meta’s Quest 3-series headsets are surpassing Nintendo’s new Switch 2 console in sales on Amazon, despite the console being launched just this past Summer.
Breaking News
Within the last 30 days, including the Black Friday shopping week, Quest 3 and Quest 3S models have collectively sold 154,000 units on Amazon US. This places the headsets slightly ahead of Nintendo’s latest console, Switch 2, which has sold 150,000 units on Amazon US in the same period, despite being released in June. The more established consoles, PlayStation 5 / 5 Pro and Xbox Series X / S, have sold fewer units compared to Quest or Switch 2.
Additionally, in Amazon’s ‘Best Sellers’ list in the Video Games category, Meta’s top-selling individual headset, Quest 3S (128GB), is ranked at #6, just ahead of Nintendo’s popular Switch 2 bundle at #7.
Meanwhile, PlayStation 5 holds the #13 spot, Quest 3 (512GB) at #24, and Xbox Series X at #60 on the ‘Best Sellers’ list.
On one hand, it may not come as a complete surprise to see Meta’s more affordable headset Quest 3S (128GB) outselling Switch 2 with its holiday sale price of $250, compared to Switch 2’s $400 MSRP. However, for those who constantly criticize the “death of VR,” the sales volume of Quest 3S proves otherwise.
Interestingly, the latest generation of Quest headsets seems to have slightly lower sales volume on Amazon US compared to the previous year. There may be a late surge, but historically, Quest sales tend to peak by December 23rd.
Personal Opinion
Despite the impressive seasonal sales volume of Quest, it is evident that the headsets have faced challenges with retention. Meta has consistently offered its headsets at significantly lower prices, aiding in their sales. However, the number of active users of Quest headsets falls short in comparison to major gaming consoles. The subsidized headset strategy has contributed to significant losses for Meta’s Reality Labs division, as they struggle to generate profits on the software side.
Earlier this year, Meta took steps to enhance software and UX design for its wearable devices, aiming to improve user retention in the future. These improvements may lead to a price increase for the company’s headsets, potentially impacting the remarkable sales volume Quest has seen over the years.
