Meta Quest 3 Lite: everything we know about the rumored cheap VR headset

Date:
Sun, 24 Mar 2024 16:00:59 +0000

Description:
Here's everything we know about the rumored release date, price, and specs of the Meta Quest 3 Lite.

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Based on the leaks and rumors it seems increasingly likely that Meta is working on a cheaper version of the Meta Quest 3 expected to be called the Meta Quest 3 Lite or Meta Quest 3s.

Its not yet been confirmed, but the gadget is expected to be a more
affordable version of the Quest 3 at a price closer to the Quest 2 that would see the Meta fully phase out its last-gen VR hardware. The trade-off would be the device wouldnt have all the capabilities of the Quest 3 likely sporting lower-resolution displays, less RAM, a worse chipset, or dropping mixed reality support (though that last point seems unlikely).

While were not convinced the gadget will look exactly like whats been rumored so far , as the saying goes: where there's smoke theres fire. The fact that several independent leaks have come out suggests Meta is definitely working
on something.

Weve collected the latest news and rumors here so this page can serve as your one-stop shop for all things Meta Quest 3 Lite. As we learn more about the device well be sure to update the page and keep you in the loop with all the latest information. Meta Quest 3 Lite: Latest news

Weve seen not one, but two distinct Meta Quest 3 Lite leaks one render
called the Meta Quest 3 Lite and one with more details that the leaker called the Quest 3s .

The Oculus Quest 2 was also at a record low price ($200 / 200) as part of
this year's Amazon Spring Sale , following a permanent price cut to $249.99 / 249.99 / AU$439.99 earlier this year . This could be a sign Meta and
retailers are trying to shift stock ahead of the last-gen device being phased out before a Quest 3 Lite release. Is the Quest 3 Lite the true Quest 2 replacement? (Image credit: Shutterstock / Boumen Japet) Meta Quest 3 Lite: Price

As the Meta Quest 3 Lite isnt yet official meaning Meta itself hasnt confirmed (or denied) its existence we cant say for certain how much itll cost or when it will be released.

But based on rumors and previous Meta hardware releases, we can make some reasoned predictions on what the gadget might cost and when we could see it
in action.

Price-wise, we can reasonably expect itll cost around the same as Metas last-gen headset, given the Lite is billed as a super-affordable model meant to fully replace the Oculus Quest 2 . Itll certainly cost less than the Meta Quest 3.

This would likely see it released at around $299 / 299 / AU$479, which is where the Quest 2 started life. Honestly, wed be more than a little disappointed if it was more expensive. The Meta Quest 3 could soon have a sibling (Image credit: Zenni) Meta Quest 3 Lite: Release date

As for the Quest 3 Lites release date, Meta usually likes to release new hardware in October. However, it might decide to mix things up with this budget-friendly gadget to avoid confusing it with its main line Quest and Quest Pro lines.

We predict the Quest 3 Lite will be announced and released as part of this years Meta Quest Gaming Showcase , which should be around June based on previous years.

If Meta sticks to its usual hardware release schedule, though, then a launch after this years Meta Connect which we expect will land in September or October could be on the cards.

Of course, this assumes the Meta Quest 3 Lite even launches at all. The Meta Quest 3 Lite will likely look a little different to the Quest 3 (Image
credit: Meta) Meta Quest 3 Lite: Specs and design

So far we havent heard many specs for the Meta Quest 3 Lite. The main leaks
so far have been renders showing off its possible design. still pancake? https://t.co/Kr1EmRRjpd pic.twitter.com/4zHpuqeXFz March 15, 2024 See more

These leaks suggest itll be bulkier than the Quest 3, likely because the Lite would adopt the fresnel lens system used by the Quest 2. This makes some
sense as fresnel lenses are cheaper, partly because the alternative pancake lenses require brighter displays. However, considering pancake lenses lead
not only to a slimmer headset design but also better image quality (and weve seen cheap headsets like the Pico 4 use pancake lenses) wed be surprised if Meta didn't use them in the Lite.

One of the leaks went into more detailed specs, suggesting itll have 128GB or 256GB of storage (instead of the 128GB or 512GB in the Quest 3) and 1,832 x 1,920 pixel displays (one per eye). Something seems off about the leak, though, in terms of the assets shared and the included info that could help identify the leaker (which seems like a bad idea for anyone trying to avoid the wrath of Metas well-funded legal team). Meta Quest 3 Lite may actually be "Meta Quest 3S"u/LuffySanKira on Reddit claims they were shown these graphics in what was likely a Meta User Research Zoom meeting.I can't verify them, but I CAN verify Meta does feedback sessions like these. pic.twitter.com/DjkZnVMP6b March 16, 2024 See more

As such, color us skeptical when it comes to the details highlighted in the post. Meta Quest 3 Lite: Software

Assuming the Meta Quest 3 Lite has the same or similar mixed-reality capabilities as the Meta Quest 3, we expect itll have access to all of the same software which is to say, everything available on the Quest platforms Store (and many other games and apps available through sideloading via third-party digital storefronts).

If it has significantly worse specs such as the Quest 2s Snapdragon XR2 Gen
1 chipset there may be some software that launches in the future that would be exclusive to the full Quest 3. But we expect the Quest 3 Lite would use a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 so, hopefully, this wont be an issue.

Well have to wait and see what Meta announces. The Meta Quest 3 Lite needs to have mixed reality (Image credit: Meta) Meta Quest 3 Lite: What we want to
see

As for what we want to see from the Quest 3 Lite VR headset acknowledging that its lower price will necessitate lower specs than the Meta Quest 3
proper our ideal setup would boast the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM as the Quest 3, though 6GB of RAM like the Quest 2 is, admittedly, a lot more likely.

Storage options would start at 64GB as frankly, you dont need a lot of storage space for VR apps, especially if youre willing to download and delete them as necessary and the displays would be a lower resolution than the
Quest 3. A leak suggested the 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye option, and considering this is whats used by the Quest 2 it does make some sense.

Pancake lenses seem like an easy win from a design and image-quality perspective (especially if Meta opts for poorer displays), and mixed-reality passthrough thats at least as high-quality as the Quest 3 is also a must.

Beyond this, one rogue cost-cutting measure could see Meta scrap or change
its Quest 3 controllers. However, given how much developers have emphasized
to us the importance of VR handsets having a standard design, and the fact that many Quest titles dont support hand-tracking, this might be a step too far.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-que st-3-lite-everything-we-know-about-the-rumored-cheap-vr-headset


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