Quest App Downloads Decline 27% Year-Over-Year as Meta Seeks to Boost Quest 3S Sales

Meta likes to keep things under wraps when it comes to the number of headsets it sells, but there are a few clues that can hint at its popularity. One of these is the performance of its Meta Horizon app, which is a must-have for Android and iOS users of the platform.

Independent analyst Omdia shared data with Game Developer, reported via Forbes, showing that downloads of the Meta Horizon app dropped by 27% on Christmas Day 2024 compared to the previous year. This date has traditionally marked the app’s highest download rates annually.

A chart provided by Omdia and Sensor Tower highlights key moments in the lifecycle of Meta’s Quest series. It covers major events like the launch of Quest 2 in October 2020, its record-breaking sales the next year, the debut of Quest 3 in October 2023, and more recently, the introduction of Quest 3S in October 2024.

Now, let’s clarify something important: Quest 3S, Meta’s latest mixed reality headset, packs the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and advanced mixed reality features found in Quest 3 but still uses older display and lens technology from Quest 2. Priced at $300, it’s a solid choice, although if you’ve got $500 to spare, the Quest 3 might be the better investment.

The graph offers an intriguing snapshot, but it doesn’t tell the full tale. It doesn’t count re-downloads, app updates, or downloads on new devices under the same iOS or Google Play account. This oversight means users upgrading from something like Quest 2 to Quest 3S might slip through the cracks.

Game Developer points out that other factors could skew the direct relationship between app downloads and headset sales. These include buying second-hand headsets, sharing devices, or curiosity-driven downloads by non-owners exploring the app store.

Without official numbers from Meta, we turn to other indicators, like third-party retailer data. Game Developer notes that data from Amazon product pages reveals Meta sold over 160,000 Quest headsets in November 2024 within eight countries. This represents a 16% year-over-year drop in Amazon sales. Two-thirds of these sales were for Quest 3S, with the remaining third for Quest 3.

Interestingly, despite a decline in overall sales, the Quest 3S was the top-selling console on Amazon US in 2024, beating out big names like the Switch, PlayStation 5 Pro, and the Xbox Series S and X hardware refreshes.

However, the dip in app downloads and Amazon sales might suggest that the enthusiasm isn’t as strong as it was during the Quest 2’s heyday. Omdia’s data reveals that following its release, Meta succeeded in doubling app downloads and almost tripling them over the Christmas period.

The upcoming holiday season will be crucial to see how well Meta can push the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, especially with potential funding for exclusive games that could sway buyer interest. To boost Quest 3S sales, Meta has slashed the price of its largest storage option (256GB) by $50 for a limited period, now priced at $350. Additionally, buyers receive a free copy of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Quest+, the gaming subscription service.

These shifts in sales and download patterns could indicate a leveling off in the VR market or perhaps a shift in what consumers value. However, one thing remains undeniable: Meta’s Quest line remains a leading force in consumer VR’s evolution.

Could this dominance be changing? Google probably hopes so.