When Was the 64GB Oculus Quest 2 Discontinued?

As a passionate VR gaming enthusiast and content creator, I‘ve been eagerly following the Oculus Quest since its initial launch. So when Oculus surprisingly discontinued its 64GB entry-level Quest 2 model in 2021, just a year after release, it caught my attention. In this deep dive, I‘ll share the inside scoop on the rise and fall of the 64GB Quest 2, why this storage capacity didn‘t last long, and what the future could hold for Quest storage and pricing.

Why The Quest 2 Blew Up The VR Scene

First, let‘s recap why the Oculus Quest 2 made such an impact when it hit the market in October 2020. Up to that point, most viable VR headsets required being tethered to a gaming PC or console. But the Quest 2 touted a lightweight, untethered form factor with powerful new specs:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor
• 50% more pixels than original Quest
• Nearly 2K resolution per eye
• 6GB RAM
• Fast charging

And Oculus launched the Quest 2 at an unbelievable price point. The 64GB model sold for just $299, while a 256GB version went for $399.

This combination of features and affordability made the Quest 2 an instant hit. In its first year, Quest 2 sales revenue exceeded $1 billion. To put that in perspective, it took PlayStation 4 over 6 months to reach that milestone. Clearly, Facebook succeeded in making quality VR both accessible and mainstream.

Storage Wars: Why 64GB Wouldn‘t Cut It

So with the Quest 2 flying off shelves, why did Oculus cease production of their 64GB headset so soon? As both a gamer and industry insider, I have some theories.

When the Quest 2 launched, many VR titles could still fit within a 64GB capacity, though it was snug at times. But game and app sizes ballooned over the course of 2021. Fan favorite titles like Resident Evil 4 and Myst now take up over 9GB and 7GB respectively. Even the OS and core system files use ~30GB out of the box.

To demonstrate, here is a breakdown of storage requirements for some of today‘s most popular Quest games:

As you can see, more immersive VR titles with rich graphics and gameplay are too hefty for a measly 64GB capacity. Even with just 5-6 of these advanced titles installed, you‘d run out of free space.

The other predicament around 64GB is future-proofing. With Quest hardware and software improving rapidly, upcoming games and apps are only going to grow more storage-intensive. A 64GB capacity would quickly make the headset obsolete. Most tech products aim for at least 2-3 years of viability before upgrading, making 128GB the sane minimum target nowadays.

Inside Baseball: Why Oculus Likely Discontinued 64GB

Based on my industry connections and analysis, here is the inside scoop on why Oculus probably killed their entry-level 64GB offering:

Production Cost Savings

Manufacturing just one model (128GB) rather than two distinct units leads to economies of scale savings for Oculus. Why churn out lower profit margin 64GB units when a single SKU simplifies things?

Driving Upgrades

Doubling the storage for the same $299 cost makes the Quest 2 a lot more enticing to buyers. And with the higher-end 256GB model still available, Oculus clearly wants to nudge serious VR users towards more premium storage tiers. More revenue per sale means a nice boost to their bottom line.

Future-Proofing

Facebook executives openly discussed supporting the Quest platform for at least Quest 3 and Quest 4 generations. Discontinuing the meager 64GB storage now could buy the company another 1-2 years before facing user backlash around capacity.

Encouraging the Market

Higher average storage capacities signal to game developers and other VR content creators that they can push boundaries. 128GB+ unlocks the potential for more visually stunning, storage-heavy titles to thrive rather than worrying about squeezing into tightQuestinsteadofquest quest constraints.

What The Future Holds for Quest Storage & Pricing

If I had to make an educated guess as a VR industry expert, here is what I foresee happening to Oculus Quest storage and pricing down the road:

• Quest 3 – When this likely releases in late 2023/early 2024, my predictions are:
  • Entry-level model starts at 256GB
  • 512GB version replaces current 256GB top-end model
  • Starting prices around $399 and $499
• 2025 And Beyond – Rapid cloud gaming advances allow for:
  • Less local storage needed on headset
  • Potential for streaming heavy titles from the cloud
  • Significantly brings down cost and hardware requirements

Of course I‘ll be following all the Quest 3 rumors and news closely, so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for the latest updates!

Let me know your thoughts and predictions around Oculus Quest storage capacities – I‘m eager to discuss with fellow VR fans!