The Oculus Quest 2, recently renamed the Meta Quest 2, has come on the market with a tempting price, since, despite being a more modern version, it costs the same as the cheapest version of the original Quest.
This makes us wonder what the similarities and differences are between both Quest versions.
So in this article we will do an analysis about it and we will give you our opinion.
Similarities Between Oculus Quest 2 and Quest 1
Both headsets have the great advantage of being able to work without using a PC , so they are quite independent to work. Of course, if you want to connect them to a PC , you always have the option of the Rift S, an exclusive model to connect to the PC.
As for the speakers, in both cases they are integrated into the strap , you do not need additional cables for sound transmission.
On the other hand, thanks to the Passthrough+ view feature on both devices, real-world viewing is possible without having to remove the headset . This is possible due to the inside-out tracking cameras and of course the guardians' intelligent play space system.
Both the Quest and the Quest 2 can only manage a maximum of three hours , before needing to be charged using a USB-C cable.
It has also been noted that some experimental features from the original Quest are now permanent in the new version, for example:
- The tracking ability of the hand.
- Oculus Link, making it easy to connect to your PC to enjoy VR games.
- Same game compatibility in both versions.
Differences between Oculus Quest 2 vs original Quest
Color is probably the most noticeable difference, the Oculus Quest 2 has a sophisticated white design, while the original had black and gray presentations.
The Quest 2 has a new strap design that makes it easier to fit your head and offers more comfort.
The manual IPD slider from the original Quest has been replaced with a 3 preset position system in Meta Quest 2, this eliminates the need to measure IPD in order to adjust. The preset measurements of adjustment are: 58 mm, 63 mm and 68 mm.
In terms of weight, the new version is lighter , about 10% less, so they are lighter and more comfortable to carry.
One difference that has been very noticeable is its power , as the Meta Quest 2 has received a power increase over the original helmet. Quest 2 uses a superior system from Qualcomm, with 50% more RAM. On the other hand, the storage has gone from 64 GB in the original version to 128 GB and a 256 GB option in the new version.
Similarly, the refresh rate increased from 72 Hz on the Oculust Quest to 120 Hz on the Oculus Quest 2. This means that the image on the screen is updated up to 120 times per second. And the more images displayed per second, the smoother the transitions and movements on the screen.
All these power changes bring game developers very happy.
conclusion
We believe that the main features that make the Oculus Quest 2 a winner are the reduction in price and the improvement in power. However, if you already own a Quest, these changes may not warrant upgrading your gear, unless you're a game developer.
Now, if you don't already have a VR headset , the Quest 2 is your chance to pick one up. Much more affordable, more powerful and with improved features.