Meta Quest 3 Lite Leaks

Updated October 23, 2024

Meta Quest 3 may only have been available for two weeks, but the rumors of another kind of Quest 3 device are already flowing. Word of a low-cost Meta headset codenamed Ventura first appeared in March ’23, but its arrival now seems all but confirmed. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in early October that ’24 would see Meta deliver “a cheaper mixed reality headset that looks a lot like Quest 3 but uses less expensive components.” Gurman also suggested that the device could be released without any physical controller to further reduce its price.

What We Know Now

Brad Lynch, known to many as SadlyItsBradley, has leaked copious pieces of information about Meta devices in the past and has done so once again regarding this more affordable Quest, rumored to be called Meta Quest 3 Lite. According to a report leaked to Lynch by an anonymous Chinese analyst with supply chain connections, Meta Quest 3 Lite could arrive as soon as the first half of 2024 and start at a price of $199 USD. With storage options ranging from 64 GB ($199) to 256 GB ($399), Meta Quest 3 Lite would cover the gap left by Quest 2, which would be discontinued upon Lite’s release.

This same anonymous analyst also claims that Meta will opt for black-and-white passthrough like Quest 2, not the full color passthrough of Quest 3, while utilizing the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset. Fresnel lenses are also reported to remain in use and not the pancake lenses found in Quest 3.

Control In Your Hands

While these two leak reports contain a few contradictions, where they agree is on the issue of controllers. Meta has greatly improved its hand-tracking tech over the last few years, to the point that Quest 3 Lite may be perfectly usable with only human hands as controllers. Removing standard controllers from the package would obviously cut down on production costs and retail price while also giving Meta a chance to tout its high-quality hand-tracking control.

Any headset from Meta that lands on shelves at less than $200 will undoubtedly appeal to a wide audience, including many who ignored VR and MR for being too expensive. VR porn may only be a small portion of what Meta Quest 3 Lite is eventually used for, but at this price point and with a strong set of features, it could very easily become the VR porn device of choice for a huge audience. Advanced, boundary-pushing VR and MR tech is all well and good, but if you’re just looking to leap into a VR sex romp with a big-bootied baddie, a lighter load is often the best choice.

 

Call It ‘Quest 3S’

Another tasty tidbit of information related to a slimmed-down Quest 3 has appeared, and this time, it may confirm the name of the device. “Quest 3S” popped up in a number of Quest Store listings alongside Meta’s existing (currently supported) devices Quest, Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro. Although now removed from listings for Alo Moves XR, Miracle Pool, Rival Stars Horse Racing: VR Edition, and other titles, “Quest 3S” appears likely to be the name of the device, which is now expected to be announced at Meta Connect 2024, scheduled for September 25-26.

 

Mark Zuckerberg just announced the dates for Meta Connect 2024 on Instagram. This will likely be where we learn more about the new Quest 3S. pic.twitter.com/Uag4GW5wp5

— Nathie (@NathieVR) June 3, 2024

Is This The Meta Quest 3S?

Ever since it was revealed that Meta would release its slimmed down version of Quest 3, consumers and pundits alike have been clamoring for a glimpse at Quest 3S. Now it appears they have that glimpse.

VR Panda (aka Alex from CHN, aka @ZGFTech) posted what he claims to be an image of Quest 3S on X. The image shows an off-white headset sporting six front-facing cameras and what appears to be a microphone. Bundled in twin left-and-right groups of three, the camera arrangement shows a distinct deviation from that of Quest 3 and even Quest 2.

Quest3s ? pic.twitter.com/vi6Nctjo8X

— VR Panda. Alex From CHN (@ZGFTECH) July 25, 2024

It still seems likely that Quest 3S will be announced at Meta Connect ’24 in late September, but until then, this leaked image is the most informative look at the design of said device we have. It also closely matches a device seen in a Meta market research presentation leaked in March. As such, this is the most convincing preview of the eventual Quest 3S that we have.

Meta Quest 3S Leak Update

After first being shown discreetly in a Meta market research presentation in March ’24 and subsequently via online leaks from X (Twitter) tech pundits, it appears the design of Meta Quest 3S is now all but confirmed.

Luna (@lunayian), a self-described “unhinged anime catgirl who rambles about AR/VR and gaming,” leaked the above image, an image of what they claim is the final design of Quest 3S. A more refined, polished version of what we’ve already seen, this design could very well be the device that lands on store shelves in just a few months.

The Price is Right

A video leaked by Reddit user Vast_Front259 shows an apparently legitimate Amazon ad for Quest 3S with a stated retail starting price of $299.99. Quest 2 launched at $299 (64 GB) in October 2020 and went on to become the best-selling VR headset of all time. Thanks to the advances made in the development of Quest 3, Quest 3S is significantly more appealing than the still impressive Quest 2.

Another leaked item supports the $299.99 starting price point: a preliminary Australian Amazon listing shows various Quest 3S bundles (Starter, Comfort, Streamer, Fitness, Rechargeable) at prices ranging from $400 USD to $535 USD. A base 128 GB model easily slides in under the lowest bundle cost and, presumably, will come with a pair of controllers.

 

With Meta Connect 2024 right around the corner, expect final specs and further details to land imminently.

The Wait is Over

Now that Meta Quest 3S is out in the wild, look for full coverage from VRPorn.com soon as we look at the public reception, initial sales, and the promise Quest 3S holds for VR and AR porn fans.