Why Isn’t Quest 3S Showing On The Steam Hardware Survey
## Meta Quest 3S Missing From steam Survey, But Data Hints at Growing Adoption
The latest Steam Hardware Survey for November is out, and while it offers a glimpse into the world of PC gaming hardware, it’s missing a key player: the Meta Quest 3S.
The monthly survey, conducted by Valve, collects data from a random sample of Steam users, revealing their PC specs and VR headset usage. Given the Quest 3S launched in mid-October, manny expected to see it appear in the November data, providing insight into it’s early adoption among PC VR users. However, the headset is conspicuously absent.

Instead, the data shows a important increase in the usage share of the original Quest 3, along with a notable jump in the “Other” category, which encompasses headsets not individually listed.
This suggests that Quest 3S usage is highly likely being absorbed by these two categories. Virtual Desktop developer Guy Godin confirmed to UploadVR that Quest 3S headsets using his software report to Steam as “Quest 3.” Godin stated he has no plans to change this, as the Quest 3 and Quest 3S are functionally identical from a developer’s perspective. The only difference lies in the lenses, which are designed for the user’s comfort.
For users connecting via Quest Link or Steam Link, the headset appears to report correctly as “Quest 3S,” contributing to the growth in the “other” category.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a surge in the “Other” category following a new headset launch. Valve typically adds a dedicated category within a few days or in the following month’s data. However, Quest 3S users utilizing Virtual Desktop will continue to be counted as “quest 3.”

Despite this,it appears that Quest 3S adoption among PC VR users isn’t matching the pace of its predecessor. By this time last year, the quest 3 had already reached 5.2% of SteamVR usage. even assuming all the recent growth in the data stems from Quest 3S, it would only be at 3.64%.
This difference is understandable. The Quest 3’s sharper, adjustable pancake lenses appeal to tech-savvy PC VR enthusiasts, who are more likely to own gaming PCs and willing to pay a premium. Conversely, the Quest 3S’s lower price point attracts a more casual audience, who may primarily use the headset standalone.
We’ll continue to monitor the Steam Hardware Survey in the coming days for the potential addition of a Quest 3S category. Though, it’s significant to note that this data will only provide a partial picture of the headset’s adoption on PC due to the reporting discrepancies.
Quest 3S Absent From Steam Survey, But Adoption Hints Grow
NewsDirect3.com – The latest Steam hardware Survey for November is out, and while it reveals trends in PC gaming hardware, a key player is missing: the Meta Quest 3S.The headset, which launched in mid-October, is conspicuously absent from the data.
Instead,the survey shows a significant increase in the usage share of the original Quest 3 and a notable jump in the “other” category,which encompasses headsets not individually listed. This suggests Quest 3S usage is highly likely absorbed by these two categories.
Virtual Desktop developer Guy Godin confirmed to UploadVR that Quest 3S headsets using his software report to Steam as “Quest 3”. Godin stated he has no plans to change this, as the Quest 3 and Quest 3S are functionally identical from a developerS viewpoint.
Users connecting via Quest Link or Steam Link see their headsets correctly reported as “Quest 3S”, contributing to the growth in the “Other” category.
While this isn’t the first time a surge in the “Other” category followed a new headset launch, Valve typically adds a dedicated category within days or in the following month’s data. However, Quest 3S users utilizing Virtual Desktop will continue to be counted as ”Quest 3″.
Despite this, Quest 3S adoption among PC VR users doesn’t appear to be matching the pace of its predecessor. By this same time last year, the quest 3 had already reached 5.2% of SteamVR usage. Assuming all recent growth in the data stems from the Quest 3S, it would only be at 3.64%.
This difference is understandable, as the Quest 3’s sharper, adjustable pancake lenses appeal to PC VR enthusiasts who are more likely to own gaming PCs and willing to pay a premium. Conversely, the Quest 3S’s lower price point attracts a more casual audience, who may primarily use the headset standalone.
We’ll continue to monitor the Steam Hardware Survey for the potential addition of a Quest 3S category. Though, it’s critically important to note that this data will only provide a partial picture of the headset’s adoption on PC due to reporting discrepancies.
