As we approach the Meta Quest 3 release date, the VR community is abuzz with news of a more affordable variant known as the Meta Quest 3 Lite.
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.
While the details may be somewhat hazy, we’ll do our best to paint a preliminary picture of what the Meta Quest 3 Lite might offer in terms of specs, features, and more.
Meta Quest 3 Lite speculations
The Meta Quest 3 Lite is a more affordable and stripped-down version of the original Meta Quest 3 with mixed reality features omitted.
According to Mark Rabkin, Meta’s VP of VR, the goal for Meta Quest 3 Lite is to “pack the biggest punch they can at the most attractive price point in the VR consumer market.”
Codenamed Ventura, this budget headset is likely to be a “pure VR” headset featuring a more powerful processor than the Quest 2 while omitting the pancake lens, depth sensor and full-colour pass-through found in the standard Quest 3.
Also, it’s reasonable to expect that the Quest 3 Lite might compromise on build quality and resolution to cater to a budget-conscious audience. It could even be sold without controllers, similar to the older Oculus Go.
Meta Quest 3 Lite release date and price
Mark Rabkin, Meta’s VP of VR, told The Verge that they are 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. Although it’s still unclear whether the base model will be available with 64GB or 128GB of storage, the $200 starting price is certainly an enticing and attractive offer.
In comparison, Meta’s current entry-level VR headset, the Quest 2, is priced at $299. It appears that Meta’s plan is to replace the ageing Quest 2 with the Quest 3 Lite, offering an even more affordable entry point into the world of VR.
Should you wait for the Meta Quest 3 Lite?
Our suggestion would be to wait until we have more information about the Meta Quest 3 Lite version before making a decision.
Of course, if your budget allows and you’re seeking the best possible VR experience with advanced features and performance, opting for the Meta Quest 3, which is superior to its Lite counterpart, would be a wise choice.
However, if you’re working with a tighter budget, things can indeed become a bit tricky. We’re not sure if the $200 Lite version will come with controllers. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to buy controllers separately, and that could cost over $100.
In total, you might end up spending over $300, which is more than the current price of the Meta Quest 2. So, waiting for the Quest 3 Lite might mean missing out on a great deal for the Quest 2, which remains one of the best VR headsets in 2023.
Therefore, staying informed about the official announcements and bundled offerings for the Meta Quest 3 Lite is crucial in making an informed decision based on your budget constraints.
And that covers everything we know about the Meta Quest 3 Lite. We will update the article as new information emerges. If you have decided to go for the standard Quest 3, make sure you pre-order your Meta Quest 3 now.
