Meta Quest 3 Lite: Rumors, specs, and what we want to see

Meta launched the follow-up to the Meta Quest 2 in 2023 after three years of VR domination. The Meta Quest 3 was nearly every part we had hoped for, with a couple of exceptions, one in every of which was the $200 worth hike over the Quest 2’s $299 price ticket.But, as rumor has it, the Meta Quest Lite — doubtlessly referred to as the Meta Quest 3 Lite — is more likely to launch at simply $199 someday in 2024. From what we all know thus far, the Meta Quest Lite appears to sport the identical highly effective Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset because the Meta Quest 3 however shall be slicing down the associated fee by stripping away a number of different options.So, what precisely can we count on from this headset? Surprisingly, it might be a extra direct Apple Vision Pro competitor than the Quest 3 for one huge purpose: it is reportedly not transport with any controllers.Meta Quest 3 Lite: Price and availability(Image credit score: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)Rumor has it that the Meta Quest Lite will launch someday in 2024 for an unimaginable $199. That would make it the most cost effective Meta Quest headset ever launched, even under-cutting the Quest 2’s $299 launch worth.One rumor means that the headset will truly launch nearer to the $299 mark in order that Meta would not must make too many {hardware} concessions. That would come with a greater blended actuality expertise than the Quest 2 affords with out elevating the value.While we initially anticipated the Meta Quest Lite to make an look on the annual Meta Connect convention in September or October 2024, the most recent rumors level to a launch within the first half of 2024. At that point, it was mentioned that Meta would stop gross sales of the Meta Quest 2 and use the Quest Lite as a substitute for the lower-cost Meta Quest possibility.We’re additionally unsure concerning the title simply but, both. The Meta Quest Pro was initially regarded as known as the Meta Quest 2 Pro, however Meta launched it with out that product quantity, signifying that it is a part of its personal product line.It’s potential Meta may do that with a possible Meta Quest Lite or, because it’s rumored to have the identical chipset because the Quest 3, it is also simply as seemingly that they’re going to name it the Meta Quest 3 Lite.Meta Quest 3 Lite: Design(Image credit score: XRCarlos on X)Renders of the Meta Quest Lite from XRCarlos on X (seen above) make the headset seem like a derivative of the Meta Quest Pro due to the laborious plastic head strap. While these renders are from 2021, we have not seen any proof that the design has modified since then.If it seems to be this manner, it is seemingly the Quest Lite head strap won’t be detachable the best way the Quest 2 and Quest 3’s head straps are. In truth, the renders right here had been created from a leaked mockup that does not even enable for head dimension adjustment. We’re unsure what to consider that, nevertheless it’s seemingly one thing was lacking from that leak.Existing renders additionally present the cameras look extra like pinhole cutouts within the headset somewhat than the big, higher-quality cameras of the Quest 3. Rumors say this mannequin used black and white cameras similar to the Quest 2, however the newest rumors recommend that Meta has modified these small cameras out for a extra Quest 3-like shade passthrough expertise.The Meta Quest Lite is reportedly 40% lighter than the Meta Quest 3.The Meta Quest Lite is alleged to make use of the identical Fresnel lenses because the Meta Quest 2, which implies the headset shall be chunkier than the Quest 3. Fresnel lenses even have a really small “sweet spot,” so customers might want to modify the headset so it matches excellent on their head, much like the Quest 2.On the brilliant aspect, this design permits Meta to purportedly make the Quest Lite 40% lighter than the Meta Quest 3. That’s good because the Quest 3 is heavier than the Quest 2.There’s no phrase but on how Meta plans to permit customers to regulate the IPD lens spacing or if the face pads are interchangeable.Meta Quest 3 Lite: Controls(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Meta is rumored to be transport the Meta Quest Lite with none controllers in any respect, matching Apple’s technique of controlling mixed-reality content material with simply your fingers. Meta Quest hand monitoring is extraordinarily good nowadays however nonetheless is not fairly as easy as Apple’s distinctive implementation.It’s a bit shocking to see Meta pushing hand-tracking as a important enter technique just because there aren’t very many good hand-tracking video games on the Quest simply but. Plus, there’s seemingly no eye monitoring or different assistive applied sciences within the Quest Lite as there are in Apple Vision Pro, doubtlessly making a hands-only possibility a bit irritating.It’s potential we’ll see a push for extra video games implementing hand monitoring due to the brand new headset — particularly if it finally ends up promoting effectively — nevertheless it’s additionally simply as seemingly that Meta will push the Quest Lite as a media consumption and blended actuality work machine as a substitute of it being a gaming console just like the Quest 2 and Quest 3 are.It’s completely seemingly the Meta Quest Lite will work with current Quest controllers, although, so there’s at all times the likelihood that you possibly can buy controllers individually.Meta Quest 3 Lite: Specs(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)It’s mentioned that the Meta Quest Lite is utilizing the identical Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset because the Meta Quest 3, simply with a couple of modifications. Namely, the Meta Quest Lite will purportedly use binned variations of the XR2 Gen 2 chipset that did not meet efficiency expectations throughout the manufacturing course of.This would give each Meta and Qualcomm a great way to dump “failed” chipsets and nonetheless give shoppers extra energy over the XR2 Gen 1 from the Quest 2.There’s no phrase but on different specs like show sort or digicam decision. We count on it to make use of an LCD with Fresnel lenses and positively have much less RAM and storage than the Meta Quest 3 if the headset retails for a lowered worth.Meta Quest 3 Lite: Wishlist(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Because Meta has but to launch a product on this worth class, it is troublesome to know what we are able to or ought to count on. There are some issues we positively do not wish to see Meta lower, nonetheless, so we’ll begin there.Proper IPD adjustmentOne of the Meta Quest 2’s largest points was its restricted vary of IPD presets. With Meta Quest Lite, we have prefer to see Meta stick to an IPD slider like the unique Oculus Quest had or a wheel just like the Quest 3 has. IPD changes are tremendous necessary for person consolation and we hope Meta would not mess this half up.LCDOur Meta Quest 4 wishlist is likely to be asking for an OLED on Meta’s subsequent mid-range headset, however we might prefer to see Meta stick to an LCD on the Meta Quest Lite for one huge purpose: no flickering. OLED shows all flicker to a point, and that is problematic for folk with PWM sensitivity.A great fast-switching LCD like these discovered on the Quest 2 or Quest 3 would not flicker and is way friendlier on the eyes. That can be particularly good for a headset that weighs so much much less and could possibly be worn for longer intervals of time.A cushty head strapOne of Meta’s largest issues with most Quest generations thus far is the inclusion of a easy fabric head strap. While these are nice for simple cleansing and preserving prices down, they’re uncomfortable. Especially when carrying the headset for a very long time.We’re hoping the rumors of a built-in halo-style head strap are true, and Meta makes use of that to maintain weight off customers’ faces, making it extra comfy to put on long run.Color passthroughWhile we do not count on the passthrough high quality of the Meta Quest Lite to match that of the Quest 3, it might be good to see it in shade, at the very least. The black-and-white passthrough of the Quest 2 is fairly horrible and can be a giant setback for a possible Meta Quest Lite’s efforts to be a mixed-reality headset.