Microsoft is discontinuing its HoloLens mixed reality headsets

Microsoft has confirmed that it’s discontinuing its HoloLens mixed reality headsets.

The company told UploadVR that HoloLens 2 production has ended, meaning now is the last time to buy the hardware before stock runs out.

Prices for HoloLens 2, which launched in 2019, start at $3,500 / £3,349.

Microsoft said HoloLens 2 will continue to receive “updates to address critical security issues and software regressions” until December 31, 2027, after which software support will cease.

Software support for the original HoloLens headset, which launched in 2016, will end on December 10, 2024.

Microsoft told UploadVR it’s still “fully committed” to a deal to sell the US Army augmented reality headsets based on HoloLens and backed by Azure cloud computing services.

It previously said the contract could be worth up to $21.88 billion over 10 years.

Microsoft’s current mixed reality ambitions are now tied to a partnership Meta, which last year brought Xbox Cloud Gaming and Office web apps to Quest headsets.

In April, the companies said they working together again to create a limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox.

Further reading

3

Meta partners with Xbox as it opens Quest’s OS to third-party hardware makers

Lenovo and Asus have also partnered with Meta to make new mixed reality devices

Launch details for a more affordable Meta Quest 3 headset were announced last week.

Meta Quest 3S will launch on October 15, 2024, and be bundled with Batman: Arkham Shadow, with prices starting at $300 / £290 for a 128GB headset