It is almost certain that Meta is developing a less expensive version of the Meta Quest 3, which is expected to be called the Meta Quest 3S. So far the information is limited and we have no concrete facts.
Information is leaking here and there. Including from Meta herself. We will keep track of everything on this page and updates should more be known.
Meta has kept two lines of Quest headsets available since the release of the Quest Pro: the conventional Quest, which aims to give you the best virtual reality and mixed reality experience at an affordable price, and the Quest Pro, which has more experimental features and more expensive components. After the Quest 3 was released, the Quest 2 remained available to still offer something to consumers who couldn't afford to buy the latest headset, but the Quest 3S is now poised to take its place.
What is known about the Meta Quest 3S?
Although official confirmation is lacking, the VR headset is thought to be a less expensive model of the Quest 3. Although we were not initially sure that the device would resemble the reports, it will reportedly have the same chipset, but will not be as sharp graphically. It will also adopt the thicker exterior of the Quest 2.
Meta has also "unveiled" the device twice already. The software store on the Internet listed the name Quest 3S and CTO Andrew Bosworth accidentally revealed it on Threads. However, it remains vague hints and a lot of smokescreens.
Meta Quest 3S: Release date
As for the Quest 3S's release date, Meta usually announces new hardware at a Meta Connect conference in October. Since this year's Connect takes place Sept. 25-26, it seems likely that the announcement will take place there and the release shortly thereafter.
A possible Meta Quest 3S design
Although Meta has decided not to host a showcase this year, I expect the Quest 3S to appear as part of the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase.
Of course, this is all assuming the Meta Quest 3S launches at all. Even though there have been leaks indicating that the new VR glasses are almost ready for launch, they may need additional time.
The design of the Quest 3S Headset: What does it look like?
Even industry analysts have yet to give us much information about the Meta Quest 3 Lite, but a number of recent leaks have focused on the headset's possible design. The main thing that most leaks highlight is that the Quest 2 Fresnel lens system - rather than the Quest 3 pancake lenses - will likely be used in the "Lite" headset.
Fresnel lenses are much less expensive, making it easier for Meta to lower the price of their "affordable" device; but the headset could be slightly thicker as a result. "Front-facing cameras" in presentation photos obtained on social media are marginally larger than those on the Quest 2.
What the Quest 3S might look like
Given their different designs, it is possible that the Quest 3 Lite's cameras are superior to those of the Quest 2, which would explain the choice to keep full-color passthrough in the cheaper headset. The Director of Engineering for XR tech at Meta has stated that he is confident that passthrough and mixed reality will be standard on future headsets. However, there is no guarantee this functionality will be there.
In an Instagram AMA, Meta's CTO, Andrew Bosworth, added that the mixed reality features "will remain the same" across all generations of headsets.
Still, it is likely that depth monitoring and other more advanced MR features will not be available on the 3S version. The specifications are unlikely to be very comprehensive.
Meta Quest 3S lenses
There may have been a move from the Quest 3 smaller pancake lenses to the larger Fresnel lenses we saw on the original Quest and Quest 2. According to the Wall Street Journal, the lenses used in Meta's less expensive headset are "cheaper than those in the most recent model, the Quest 3".
Pancake lenses can generally be placed closer to the display and are lighter and thinner, allowing the headset to be made smaller. Fresnel lenses require extra space between the lens and the display because they are larger, heavier lenses. Pancake lenses are now popular, but because of their high refractive loss, they require brighter screens and are more expensive to make. By returning to Fresnel lenses and using a 1,832 x 1,920 resolution LCD, as suggested so far, Meta could reduce production costs.
>> Read our Meta Quest 3 review here <<
In addition, sources mention "3-position IPD/IAD adjustment" as an option for adjusting settings for your eyes, which is a step down from the Quest 3's IPD wheel, which offered a more precise, optimized approach. If you're comfortable using one of the three default settings, it needn't be a problem, but if not, it can be tricky.
However, it is also important to take into account the purported upgrades that the next headset will offer over the Quest 2. The passthrough lenses seem to be retained, as was indicated in the design section, and will likely match the Quest 3's 4MP color cameras for authentic mixed-reality experiences.
A Meta Quest without controllers?
Despite the additional cost of including controllers in the package, the Quest 3 and Quest Pro were both introduced as just as functional with controllers as when used with hand-tracking alone. The majority of top virtual reality apps and games, such as Supernatural and Beat Saber, require controllers to function; but as Meta expands into uses for entertainment and productivity and develops even more affordable headsets, this may change.
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According to Bloomberg, the company is considering removing the controllers from the Quest 3 package altogether and making them an additional, optional purchase in order to offer a more affordable model at a more reasonable price. Although Meta's hand tracking has come a long way over the years, is there really enough content to keep you busy on a Quest without a controller? That remains to be seen.
A new Snapdragon processor
According to a Chinese analyst, the 3S savings could be used to incorporate the more recent Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 CPU, which enabled the Quest 3's improved graphics and overall performance. Furthermore, it would make sense for Meta to want to keep the Quest 3S's processor the same to maintain app compatibility in the future. As for the less expensive Quest headset, The Wall Street Journal reports that it will likely be "would include a more advanced graphics processor than used in the Quest 2, so there seems to be increasing agreement that this is the right decision.
The Cheaper Quest 3: Our expectations
As you can see, there is still a fair amount of confusion due to the lack of official information about the Meta Quest 3s. It's hard to know what to expect when we can only rely on rumors.
However, it is clear that to offer a truly low-cost alternative, Meta would have to retain the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset and the good specifications of the Quest 3.
If not, it would simply be a copy of the Quest 2. The company will have to come up with alternative strategies to improve the user experience if it decides to forgo pancake lenses in favor of Fresnel lenses and lower resolution. This may mean retaining features such as Quest 3's full-color passthrough.
Moreover, if the company decides to take controllers out of the Quest 3 Lite bundle, we need advanced hand-tracking features.
With the reasonably priced headset, I'm also hopeful that Meta will fix some of the comfort issues of the Meta Quest 2. The Quest 2 was plagued by the heavy headband and lack of IPD adjustment options. With better weight, more comfort and more customization options, Meta's 3s headset could appeal to a wider range of users.
