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

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.

It’s not yet confirmed, but the gadget is expected to be a more affordable version of the Quest 3 – at a price point closer to the Quest 2 – which would see the Meta completely phase out its last-gen VR hardware. The trade-off would be that the device wouldn’t have all the features of the Quest 3 – likely with lower resolution screens, less RAM, a worse chipset, or dropping mixed reality support (although that last point seems unlikely).

While we’re not convinced the gadget will look exactly like what’s being claimed so far, the saying goes: where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The fact that several independent leaks have come out suggests that Meta is definitely working on something.

We’ve gathered the latest news and rumors here so that this page can serve as your one-stop shop for all things Meta Quest 3 Lite. As we learn more about the device, we will be sure to update the page and keep you posted with the latest information.

Meta Quest 3 Lite: Latest News

We’ve seen not one, but two different Meta Quest 3 Lite leaks: one render called 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 that Meta and retailers are trying to shift inventory before the last-gen device is phased out ahead of the Quest 3 Lite’s release.

Meta Quest 3 Lite: price

Since the Meta Quest 3 Lite isn’t official yet – meaning Meta itself hasn’t confirmed (or denied) its existence – we can’t say for sure how much it will cost or when it will be released.

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

Price-wise, we can reasonably expect it to cost around the same as Meta’s last-gen headset, as the Lite is billed as a super affordable model that aims to completely replace the Oculus Quest 2. It will definitely cost less than the Meta Quest 3.

This would likely set the release at around $299 / £299 / AU$479, which is where the Quest 2 started life. Frankly, we’d be more than a little disappointed if it were more expensive.

Meta Quest 3 Lite: Release Date

As for the Quest 3 Lite 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 confusion with the mainline Quest and Quest Pro lines.

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

However, if Meta sticks to its usual hardware release schedule, a launch after this year’s Meta Connect – which we expect to arrive in September or October – could be on the cards.

Of course, this assumes the Meta Quest 3 Lite launches at all.

Meta Quest 3 Lite: specifications and design

So far we haven’t heard many specs for the Meta Quest 3 Lite. The main leaks so far are renders showing the possible design.

These leaks suggest it will be bulkier than the Quest 3, likely because the Lite would use the Fresnel lens system used by the Quest 2. This makes sense because Fresnel lenses are cheaper, partly because the alternative pancake lenses require brighter screens. But since pancake lenses not only lead to a sleeker headset design, but also better image quality (and we’ve seen budget headsets like the Pico 4 use pancake lenses), we’d be surprised if Meta didn’t use them in the Lite.

One of the leaks went into more detailed specs, suggesting it will 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). However, there seems to be something wrong with the leak, in terms of the assets shared and the information included that could help identify the leaker (which seems like a bad idea for anyone trying to avoid the wrath of Meta’s well-funded legal team) .

Therefore, 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 it to have access to the same software – that is, everything available on the Quest platform’s store (and many others). other games and apps available via sideloading via third party digital stores).

If it has significantly worse specs – like the Quest 2’s Snapdragon Gen 2, so hopefully this won’t be an issue.

We’ll have to wait and see what Meta announces.

Meta Quest 3 Lite: what we want to see

As for what we want to see from the Quest 3 Lite VR headset – recognizing that the lower price requires lower specs than the Meta Quest 3 itself – our ideal setup would feature the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM as the Quest 3, although admittedly 6GB of RAM like the Quest 2 is much more likely.

Storage options would start at 64GB – honestly, you don’t need a lot of storage for VR apps, especially if you’re willing to download and delete them as necessary – and the screens would be lower resolution than the Quest 3. A leak suggested the option of 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye, and since this is what the Quest 2 uses, it makes sense.

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

Additionally, a deceptive cost-cutting move could see Meta scrap or change its Quest 3 controllers. However, given how many developers have emphasized to us how important it is for VR handsets to have a standard design, and the fact that many Quest titles don’t support hand tracking, this could be a step too far.