Meta is raising Quest 2 headset prices by $100 next month

The Meta Quest 2 (previously referred to as the Oculus Quest 2) is about to get $100 costlier, bringing the worth for the 128GB mannequin to $399.99 and the 256GB mannequin to $499.99. In keeping with a publish from Meta, the worth change for the virtually two-year-old headset will take impact “beginning in August.”

As a lot as I hate to advocate shopping for issues below stress, it’s best to most likely act quick when you’re hoping to get your arms on one earlier than then. It appears seemingly that scalpers and their armies of bots are about to have a heyday with the fashions which might be presently on the market on the outdated value. You’ll be able to choose them up from locations like Meta’s official retailer, Greatest Purchase, Amazon, GameStop, Goal, or Walmart.

It is a hefty value bounce for what was the most effective offers in gaming for years, and it comes at a time when Meta as an entire is trying to lower the fats and begin making extra money — whereas concurrently making an attempt to construct a enterprise centered round individuals accessing digital actuality {hardware}. The corporate is, nevertheless, providing one thing to patrons to assist make the brand new value a bit simpler to swallow: beginning August 1st and persevering with for the remainder of the 12 months, the Quest 2 will include a free copy of Beat Saber, an exceedingly common VR rhythm recreation that usually prices $29.99.

In keeping with UploadVR, these trying to save cash by going with refurbished fashions may also need to pony up an additional $100 for the bottom model and $80 for the one with upgraded storage, paying $349 and $429, respectively.

In its publish on Tuesday, Meta says that “the prices to make and ship our merchandise have been on the rise.” In keeping with sources talking to Verge reporter Alex Heath, the corporate doesn’t make cash on Quest headset gross sales.

It’s doable, nevertheless, that antitrust regulators may accuse Meta of purposefully subsidizing its headsets lengthy sufficient to drive out rivals that simply couldn’t afford to match its value level after which jacking up the worth as soon as it had develop into dominant out there. For example of how common the Quest 2 is amongst avid gamers, simply have a look at final month’s Steam {hardware} survey: 49.02 p.c of individuals utilizing VR with Steam had been taking part in on a Quest 2.

That is, by the way in which, a headset that doesn’t require a pc to run, in order that quantity seemingly doesn’t account for all the individuals utilizing the headsets. Market analysis agency IDC estimates that the Quest 2 made up 78 p.c of the digital / augmented actuality market in 2021, in keeping with The Hindu.

Current experiences have indicated that Meta is engaged on a brand new slate of VR and AR headsets, with some set to be considerably costlier than the present crop (even with the elevated costs). The corporate hasn’t been shy about the truth that it’s engaged on new {hardware}, however Tuesday’s transfer could give customers pause about shopping for into its ecosystem. That wouldn’t be good for Meta, which has mentioned that it’s going all-in on digital worlds.

For those who’re now speeding to choose up one in every of these headsets earlier than the worth improve, you might need to try our video showcasing a few of its most helpful options.