In a surprising turn of events, the first image of the Xbox Quest 3S has leaked online, and it’s already turning heads across the gaming world. The leaked packaging confirms a previously unannounced collaboration between Microsoft and Meta, bringing the Meta Quest 3S into the Xbox ecosystem with exclusive branding and bundled accessories.

The Leak: Xbox Meets Meta Quest

The image, which surfaced via retail channels and was quickly picked up by tech insiders, showcases the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition in a sleek all-black design accented with Xbox’s signature green trim. Both the Xbox and Meta Quest logos feature prominently on the box, solidifying the partnership. One of the most eye catching elements of the packaging is the clear inclusion of an Xbox Wireless Controller, hinting at a console like VR experience.

This is the first official branding crossover of this kind between Microsoft and Meta, and the packaging strongly suggests the device will be bundled with:

• Meta Quest 3S headset
• Xbox Wireless Controller
• Elite Strap for enhanced comfort
• 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription

Hardware & Specs

According to additional reports, the Meta Quest 3S is a cost-effective alternative to the Quest 3, aimed at broadening accessibility to the VR market. While it retains the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and supports full-colour passthrough for mixed reality content, it features Fresnel lenses and a single LCD display a strategic move to keep the price competitive.

The Xbox Edition appears to be the same headset under the hood, but with Xbox-specific accessories and aesthetic touches that make it a premium offering for Xbox fans.

Price & Release Date

The Xbox Quest 3S is reportedly launching on June 24, 2025, with a retail price of USD $399. That pricing is highly competitive, especially considering the inclusion of a controller and three months of Game Pass Ultimate, which enables cloud streamed Xbox titles on a variety of devices including now, apparently, VR headsets.

What This Means for Xbox & VR

While Xbox has previously expressed hesitation in entering the virtual reality market with its own hardware, this collaboration with Meta represents a significant step forward. By leveraging Meta’s established VR platform and bundling it with Xbox’s gaming ecosystem, Microsoft may be setting the stage for a console-lite VR experience that operates via cloud gaming and Game Pass.

For players, this means they could be jumping into Halo, Forza, Starfield, and more with the freedom of VR potentially with mixed reality capabilities that blend their living rooms with the Xbox universe.

The Big Picture

This partnership is not just a headset with a green logo. It’s an ambitious experiment: blending two ecosystems Meta’s VR tech and Xbox’s cloud gaming platform into one consumer-friendly, plug-and-play experience. With VR hardware becoming increasingly affordable and cloud gaming gaining traction, the Xbox Quest 3S may end up being the most accessible bridge between traditional console gaming and next-gen immersive experiences.

Stay tuned for more as we approach the reported June 24 launch. If the leak is any indication, Microsoft and Meta may have just quietly reshaped the future of console gaming.

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