Limited-edition hardware will always have its place in the world. Some people love to buy rare technology, and while the Quest 3 doesn’t yet have any exclusive editions for the general public, there is one group of rare models in existence. However, this limited-edition headset is not only hard to get, but it’s also shockingly unattractive.
Despite being one of the best VR headsets and offering exclusive games like Batman Arkham Shadow and Hitman 3 VR Reloaded, the Meta Quest 3 is quite basic in appearance. The hardware inside is a significant improvement over the Quest 2, but the design is bland, for better or worse.
It’s no surprise that many people are hoping for a limited-edition skin or model for the Quest 3, but what might surprise you is that one already exists. Unfortunately, it’s limited to a few developers on the Meta Quest team. And honestly, we’re relieved that only a few people have access to this device.
In a recent Threads post (surprisingly, Threads isn’t dead yet) as spotted by UploadVR, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth shared a "clear" Meta Quest 3. Much like the style of the early 2000s, this transparent design reveals the internals of the Meta Quest 3 and all the components that make it special. However, it just looks awful.
Similarly, the Meta Quest Pro also received a clear model for those who worked on the headset, serving as a way to showcase the developers' hard work and the technology's intricacies. But there’s a reason the "clear case" trend faded, and it’s no surprise this isn’t an official model you can buy.
That said, it must be a great model for those who worked on it. Having something that no one else in the world possesses, and using it while climbing the leaderboards in the best PCVR games, must feel special. Owning a VR headset unique to you and your colleagues is more valuable than having a fashionable device.
It will be interesting to see if the upcoming Quest 3s or the potential Quest 4 receive the same treatment or, hopefully, get a fully limited-edition model available for consumers. At least we’ve gotten a glimpse of the rarest Quest 3 model, even if it doesn’t look great.