The Oculus Quest 2 is going up $151 starting August 1st, so you’ll have to act fast to get it for its original price.
The Meta Quest 2 (formerly Oculus Quest 2) made a name for itself as an affordable and accessible entry point into the world of virtual reality. We’re sorry to report that Meta is increasing the RRP of this VR headset to $630 for the 128GB version and $790 for the 256GB version, even though it hasn’t added any new features.
The good news for you is that this price increase won’t go into effect until August 1st. That means you have time to secure this device for just $479 (128GB) and $639 (256GB). In both cases, this will save you $151.
There is certainly value in both editions. But given the current state of VR, you’ll be hard-pressed to find 256GB of games and experiences worth your time. We recommend that you save some cash and go for the 128GB version.
For more on the Oculus Quest 2, check out our full headset review and our Quest 2 vs HTC Vive Pro 2 comparison guide.
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Quest 2 price hike: why?
So why is Meta willingly risking its position as an entry-level VR headset? According to the company, the operation and development are simply increasing too much to continue selling the headphones at their current price.
Almost every decision Meta makes seems to be traced back to the Metaverse. This is no exception. Meta’s determination to make its simulated universe a major component of human society in terms of commerce, entertainment, fellowship, and more will no doubt come down to a pretty penny.
If the Quest 2 will be the gateway to this universe, there is no doubt that some additional costs will occur. So there is definitely an argument to justify the decision. Or maybe it’s just a cynical cash grab.
Meta also seems to be taking a calculated risk here. A $151 price increase is nothing to sneeze at, but is there really another headset ready to jump into the market position that the Quest 2 is about to vacate?
$630 is still considered an affordable price in the world of VR headsets. When Quest 2’s extensive brand recognition is also factored in, we don’t see an obvious contender to usurp its status as top dog in the VR world right now.
It’s future projects like the PS VR2 that should worry Meta. If Sony’s next foray into VR seriously shakes up the space, we’ll be very interested to see how Meta returns with its mixed reality Project Cambria.
Check out our guide to the 9 best VR headsets in Australia.