Between Microsoft killing Windows Mixed Reality in November 2026, the lack of replacement parts for things like the Rift S’s cable and PSVR 2 replacement controllers, and Meta’s quick discontinuation of the Quest Pro and pushing software updates that cause issues with legacy headsets it feels like most headsets are destined to quickly become paperweights.
The situation reminds me a lot of feature phones with their proprietary connectors, how useless they are without a cellular network, and the lack of a strong modding community.
Things do seem to be getting better, I haven’t heard a lot of complaints about the Valve Index, but it’s a bit disappointing to see so many posts and comments talking about how much potential different headsets had.
Finding out what you like using your headset for is definitely a big thing. A lot of people use theirs once or twice then it sits at their desk collecting dust but that’s not the kind of waste I’m talking about. I’m talking about things beyond what the consumer can control that put a soft cap on the lifespan of VR headsets.