Meta previously opened up its virtual reality headset operating system to the public, andRenamed Meta Horizon OS, and announced that it will cooperate with ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft's Xbox brand to create a virtual visual headset. Relevant news indicates that the virtual visual headset jointly developed by Meta and Microsoft will be created in a joint form. It will be based on Meta's already launched Quest 3S, with more Xbox brand elements, and will be equipped with an Xbox wireless controller, Quest Elite headband, and a three-month trial plan of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service. The suggested retail price is expected to be US$399, and it will be officially unveiled as early as June 6.
This news has not yet been officially confirmed by Meta or Microsoft, but if true, this will be the first time the Xbox brand has entered the field of virtual reality hardware cooperation, and may become a new starting point for Microsoft to integrate cloud gaming, subscription services and cross-platform experiences.
Following Ray-Ban and Oakley, Meta's joint venture strategy has won another victory
In recent years, Meta has been active in hardware layout, in addition to cooperating with Ray-Ban and Oakley to launchSmart glasses, and extended the cooperation tentacles to the gaming field, cooperating with partners such as Microsoft Xbox that have gaming content resources and brand influence, to enhance the penetration rate of the Quest series among game console players.
Judging from the known specifications, this co-branded Quest 3S basically continues the hardware configuration of the original Quest 3S, including 128GB of storage space and a built-in processor. The biggest difference lies in the integration of software and accessories. Through the Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service content, users can seamlessly experience game content from the Xbox platform.
Seize the virtual vision market for newcomers with a clear strategy
While existing Meta Quest users might not upgrade just for the brand collaboration, for Xbox gamers who haven't yet entered the virtual world, this product can be considered a tailor-made "entry solution." The familiar controller and brand logo lower the barrier to entry and create more potential user overlap for both Microsoft and Meta.
Furthermore, given Microsoft's recent efforts to strengthen its Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming service, this headset could become another extension of Xbox's "console-free play" strategy. After all, anyone with a screen and internet connection can access the Xbox ecosystem anytime, anywhere. Pairing it with a virtual reality headset would further enhance the immersive experience.
Dual-brand cooperation has a promising future
The Xbox and Meta partnership not only demonstrates their shared commitment to open platforms and hardware resources, but also promises to expand cross-brand smart device innovation. Especially with the arrival of Apple Vision Pro, how Meta maintains its leadership in the mid-range VR market and how Xbox extends its brand influence will be key areas of focus for future collaboration.
If the rumors are true, this co-branded Quest 3S will be available for pre-order on June 6, and will be released simultaneously in multiple markets including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and will later expand to India, Mexico and the Middle East markets.
