Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, is rumored to be releasing a budget-friendly version of its popular virtual reality headset, the Meta Quest 3. Leaks from Twitter user @Lunayian suggest that this new headset, potentially called the Meta Quest 3 Lite or Quest 3s, will offer many of the Quest 3’s features at a lower price.
The Meta Quest 3 Lite is expected to be a combination of the Quest 3’s specifications and the more affordable design of the Quest 2. It is meant to replace the almost four-year-old original device. While Meta has remained tight-lipped about any news regarding this new headset since the initial release of the Quest 3 in October, more information is expected to be revealed at Meta’s Quest Gaming Showcase on June 1.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Meta Quest 3 Lite is its price. Rumors suggest that it will be priced lower than the flagship Quest 3, which currently retails for $499. TechRadar speculates that the Lite version could be priced between $299 and $399, positioning it between the original launch price of the Quest 2 and the current price of the Quest 3.
Although an official release date has not been announced, industry insiders believe that the Meta Quest 3 Lite could be revealed at Meta’s gaming showcase in June. Considering the timing of recent leaks, it is plausible that an announcement and subsequent release could happen in the coming months.
In terms of specifications, the Meta Quest 3 Lite is said to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, similar to the Quest 3. However, it will have a slightly lower screen resolution of 1,832 x 1,920 pixels per eye compared to the Quest 3’s 2,064 x 2,208 pixels. This slight downgrade in resolution may not be noticeable to the average user.
Other compromises include a fresnel lens system instead of pancake lenses, which may result in visible concentric rings during use. Additionally, the eye distance adjustments will be simplified, offering only three set positions. However, the new headset will retain the advanced tracking ring-less controllers and two 4MP RGB passthrough cameras for full-color mixed reality.
Overall, the Meta Quest 3 Lite is expected to be a more affordable alternative to the Quest 3, offering many of the same features at a lower price point. With its rumored release date approaching, VR enthusiasts and consumers alike are eagerly awaiting more information from Meta’s upcoming gaming showcase.
