Following the successful release of the Meta Quest 3, Meta is reportedly gearing up to launch a more affordable version, tentatively named the Meta Quest 3 Lite or Meta Quest 3s. While official details remain under wraps, leaks and insider information provide a glimpse into what we can expect from this upcoming VR headset.
According to Gurman, the Meta Quest 3 Lite is a "cheaper mixed-reality headset that looks a lot like the Quest 3 but uses less costly components." To offer a more affordable price point, Meta is compelled to compromise on aspects like optics, display, resolution, and cameras by using these less costly components.
The emergence of the Quest 3 Lite has added an extra layer of confusion for users who were already grappling with the decision of whether to buy the Meta Quest 2 or the Quest 3. So before you dive into a decision, let's quickly look at the Lite version of the Quest 3.
Meta Quest 3 Lite Specs
The Meta Quest 3 Lite retains the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor from the standard Quest 3 but makes compromises in the resolution, lenses, and camera department.
For display, the Meta Quest 3 Lite reportedly features a single fast-switch LCD at 1832 x 1920 per eye (20 PPD) with a 90Hz/120Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it uses Fresnel lenses with 3-position IPD/IAD adjustment instead of the pancake lenses found in the original Quest 3.
The Meta Quest 3 Lite is rumoured to have 4x IR tracking cameras, 2x 4MP (18 PPD) RGB passthrough cameras, and 2x IR illuminators for depth sensing.
To cut costs further, the Meta Quest 3 headset will be released without any controllers. You would have to buy the controllers separately or operate the headset with hand gestures.
The emergence of the Quest 3 Lite has added an extra layer of confusion for users who were already grappling with the decision of whether to buy the Meta Quest 2 or the Quest 3. So before you dive into a decision, let's quickly look at the Lite version.
Meta Quest 3 Lite Release Date and Price Rumours
According to Mark Rabin, VP of VR at Meta, the company is planning to launch the Meta Quest 3 Lite in 2024. Given the release date patterns of previous Meta headsets, we can expect the Meta Quest 3 Lite to be released around October 2024.
The starting price of the Meta Quest 3 Lite is rumoured to be $200. However, Mark Gurman has mentioned Meta's inclination to set the price point closer to $300 to make mixed reality accessible to a wider audience.
And that covers everything we know about the Meta Quest 3 Lite. We will update the article as new information emerges. So the big question is: Should I wait for Meta Quest 3 Lite or buy Quest 3?