updatevia TechCrunch

Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S Prices Just Went Up — Here's What You'll Pay Now

Starting April 19, the Meta Quest 3 jumped $100 to $599.99 and the Quest 3S rose $50 to $349.99. Meta blames a global AI-driven RAM shortage that has sent DRAM prices soaring 45–50% in Q2 2026.

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Alex Chen
·4 min read
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Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Meta Quest 3 512GB

The sharper standalone Quest upgrade — higher-resolution mixed reality with more storage for bigger VR libraries.

512GB built-in storageSnapdragon XR2 Gen 2Sharper pancake optics

Starting At

$419.95

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4.5 / 5

If you were on the fence about buying a Meta Quest headset, that fence just got more expensive to sit on. Starting Saturday, April 19, 2026, Meta raised prices across its entire Quest lineup:

  • Meta Quest 3 (512GB): $499.99 → $599.99 (+$100)
  • Meta Quest 3S (128GB): $299.99 → $349.99 (+$50)
  • Meta Quest 3S (256GB): $399.99 → $449.99 (+$50)

Why Prices Went Up

Meta says the cost of building high-performance VR hardware has risen significantly due to a global surge in memory chip prices. DRAM prices have soared as AI infrastructure buildouts from Meta, Google, Microsoft, and others consume massive quantities of high-bandwidth memory. Market research firm TrendForce expects another 45–50% increase in DRAM prices in Q2 2026.

The irony isn't lost on critics: Meta's own AI spending is contributing to the chip shortage that's driving up prices on its consumer hardware.

What About Refurbished Units?

The price increases apply to refurbished Quest units as well. Accessories will keep their current pricing.

What This Means for Buyers

At $599.99, the Quest 3 now sits uncomfortably close to the Samsung Galaxy XR at $1,487 on eBay. The Quest 3S at $349.99 remains the budget VR entry point, but it's no longer the impulse-buy it was at $249. See our full buying guide for whether to buy now or wait.

#meta#quest-3#quest-3s#vr#price-increase#ram-shortage#ar-vr

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