Summary
For the second time, the price of the Quest 2 headset from Meta has been reduced, reaching an all-time low of $199. One of the most affordable standalone virtual reality headsets that we have ever seen is this one. With a faster CPU, improved graphics, higher-resolution screens, sharper optics, and color cameras that allow mixed reality, Meta may have a successor for the Quest 2 on the horizon. This replacement is expected to be a cheaper version of Quest 3, which was introduced the previous year. The Quest 3 has a price tag of $500. On the other hand, even if it occurs, Quest 2 is more than enough for the majority of people and offers unmatched value at the moment. This is the reason why it continues to be an Editors’ Choice selection. Our first review from 2020, which has been somewhat revised, may be seen below.
Meta Quest 2 Review
Over the course of the last two years, I have returned to a pair of magic goggles on several occasions. These goggles have allowed me to see and experience worlds of games, theater, discussions, art, and experiences that are difficult to even express. The Meta Quest 2, which was once known as the Oculus Quest 2 and is still frequently referred to by that name, is an upgraded and more affordable successor to the 2019 Oculus Quest. My portable holodeck, my small magic exercise room, my escape area, and one of my favorite gaming consoles are all instances in which it has previously been used.
The Quest 2 is still the greatest virtual reality platform, despite the fact that Meta has released a Quest 3 that is even more advanced. It is now possible to run all of the same games and applications that the Quest 3 is capable of, but the Quest 2 costs $300 less. It’s true that it’s not quite as excellent as the other option, but I don’t believe that many people who aren’t experts in virtual reality would notice the difference.
Even as of right now, there is no standalone virtual reality headset that can compete with the Quest 2 in terms of the app catalog or value it offers.
In the entry-level Quest 2, Meta increased the standard storage capacity from 64 gigabytes to 128 gigabytes, doubling the amount. Although 128 gigabytes of storage ought to be more than plenty for the majority of users, dedicated virtual reality gamers will enjoy the 256 gigabyte storage tier step-up since there is no other method to increase storage capacity.
The Quest 2 continues to amaze me, despite the fact that it is so old. Continually enhancing its software, the Quest 2 is now able to receive alerts from mobile devices, couple with keyboards and interact with virtual meeting applications, perform fundamental fitness monitoring, and wirelessly stream from personal computers. Right now, it is still the greatest self-contained virtual reality headset, and according to its characteristics, it is also the most cheap.
Nevertheless, you have to acknowledge that this is the universe that Facebook inhabits (and that this includes the possibility of future advertisements as well). In spite of the fact that a large number of parents I know have children who use Quest 2, it is important to keep in mind that Quest 2 is not intended for children, even if it will soon be possible to create an account without having to use a Facebook login. Although there is a steady increase in the number of parental controls, they are not yet on par with those found on common gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or PlayStation, for example.
The Quest 2 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 CPU that is specialized for virtual reality, a display that has a greater resolution than the prior Oculus Quest and Rift headsets, and it performs remarkably well as a tethered or wireless virtual reality headset for personal computers in the event that you need it to do so.
The Quest 2 is mostly used by me as a gaming console, a fitness gadget, or a social tool for interacting with friends in virtual worlds. I find that I use it for all of these purposes. It’s not something I use all the time. One of the experiences that I sometimes partake in is this one.
On the other hand, if you consider the Quest 2 to be a gaming console, you will find that it is an excellent small game and experience machine. At this very moment, it is even possible that it is my second-favorite gaming system, directly behind the Nintendo Switch. If, on the other hand, you think that it satisfies your requirements for work and the rest of your life, then it would create more profound problems and complexities.
Oculus Quest 2: How Does the Virtual Reality Headset Fade in Comparison to the First Quest?
Mark Zuckerberg and Meta continue to give their whole attention to the task of transforming virtual reality (VR) into a more effective tool for work and connection, but all of this is still very much a work in progress. The Quest app collection has a number of work-related applications; however, none of them function enough for me to make use of them. Attempts are being made by Horizon Worlds and Horizon Workrooms to provide communal spaces that may be used for both work and pleasure.
The social media goals of Meta are obviously linked with the direction that virtual reality and augmented reality are moving, and Quest 2 continues to seem like the focal point of those efforts. Soon, Meta will make it possible for accounts to avoid the need to log in using a Facebook account; nevertheless, it is important to note that you will still be subject to Meta’s control in some way or another.
More of a gaming console than a gadget for work?
If you think of the Quest 2 as a motion-enabled gaming console for your face and hands or as a method to connect with pals in magical realms where you may run about as imagined avatars, then it is a terrific device. You may also play Beat Saber on this machine, which is a terrific little gadget. Prior to the release of Quest 2, the Oculus Quest was already the greatest self-contained virtual reality headset available anywhere in the world.
My time spent in Oculus Quest has provided me with experiences that have been awe-inspiring, enchanted, and full of action. In terms of its curated app store and self-contained environment, it seems like The Quest 2 is following in the footsteps of its predecessor. In the present moment, the full-motion six degrees of freedom (also known as 6DoF) tracking that makes use of four in-headset cameras is absolutely identical. Although they are complicated, the controls are beautifully designed. It is more of a virtual reality tiny gaming console than anything else, but its additional utilities, such as virtual big-screen computer displays, fitness training software, and immersive theater portals, might offer aspects that you would not have even considered before.
The Quest ecosystem includes a variety of tools for work as well as many methods for holding virtual meetings: By using processes and cloud storage facilities, the software developed by Spatial connects individuals together in shared areas. Using virtual monitor applications like Immerse, you may transform the quest into a series of virtual displays that are shown on your actual computer. By just plugging in a USB connection, the Quest 2 may function as a virtual reality headset for a personal computer and is compatible with a wide variety of Steam applications. Additionally, Meta’s Horizon Workrooms demonstrate the potential. At this point in time, however, I would still consider these work applications to be experimental and not necessary.
Even yet, the Quest does not actually interact with either the iOS operating system from Apple or the Android operating system from Google. However, it can pair with a phone app, such as a smartwatch, to do some rudimentary synchronization and screen casting. It is not possible to just join a Zoom call or exchange a document right away, and the transition from my virtual computer work life to the virtual flow of virtual reality is not yet complete. In my perspective, virtual reality headsets need to be more similar to immersive visual headphones, so I really hope that they can come to fruition. At this point in time, they are more akin to individualized and distinct toolkits, which have both pros (physical immersion) and cons (no face-to-face video chat and no convenient work tools like a mouse and keyboard).
The still-evolving hand tracking on Quest 2 is a fantastic illustration of the limitations of virtual reality. My hands are free to reach out and touch objects without the need for a controller, which is a strange experience. However, I am unable to get any tactile feedback, and it is exceedingly difficult for me to learn the exact motions that are required to start an application, drag an item to a certain location, or write a response to a message.
What really stands out?
The display resolution is as follows:Compared to the original Quest, which had a resolution of 1,400×1,600 pixels per eye, the newer Quest has a resolution of 1,832×1,920 pixels per eye, which makes things smoother and eliminates a significant amount of the “screen door” pixelation. The Snapdragon XR2 CPU also reduces the lower-resolution halo that appeared on the edges of the display in the past as a result of fixed-foveated rendering. This rendering technique only made the center of the display seem ultrasharp in order to assist the older processor. In spite of the fact that there is still some pixelation at the periphery of your vision, if you look closely, it is now more clear and sharp across the board.
Headphones are not required for audio that is inherent. I find that the ambient spatial audio that is produced by the side straps is satisfactory, and I believe that it is preferable to the use of headphones. To me, it seems to be a little bit more appealing than the previous quest. Moreover, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack included.
Despite this, the XR2 chip seems to offer a lot of versatility. Qualcomm’s XR2 chip was still the finest standalone CPU for virtual reality at the time, and the visuals of virtual reality games that have been released recently have been rather stunning. Hand tracking and mixed reality are also within the capabilities of Quest 2, which may be accomplished by superimposing virtual objects with its black and white passthrough cameras.
There is a smooth refresh rate: The initial Quest could operate at 72 Hz, which is a little bit lower than the refresh rate of PC VR headsets, which can go up to 90 Hz. The more rapid the pace of refreshment, the more fluid the experience will be. The Quest 2 is also capable of running certain games and applications at 120 Hz.
Both the size and weight are satisfactory: the Quest 2, which weighs 17.7 ounces, or 503 grams, is not an extremely lightweight headset; nonetheless, it is still rather portable for a headset that is self-contained. Despite the fact that it is still a pair of goggles, it is capable of being carried about. Additionally, the elastic flex straps are simple to pack away, despite the fact that the Quest 2 is not as portable as an iPad or a Nintendo Switch.
The updated Oculus Touch controllers include the same buttons, analog sticks, and triggers as a split-apart PlayStation controller, which results in a great battery life for the controllers. However, the new controllers are larger and have a more robust feel to them. Additionally, they feature a larger button area that includes a thumb rest. The controllers continue to utilize AA batteries rather than being rechargeable, but they stay operational for a far longer period of time on a single cell. For example, mine can go for months on a pair of AA batteries. Additionally, unlike the previous Quest controllers, the battery cover does not slip off at random, as it does on some of them.
Excellent virtual reality (VR) gaming alternatives may be found in The Quest 2’s game library. A considerable number of these games may even have a visual quality that is comparable to that of their PC counterparts; nevertheless, there is a possibility that over the following year or two, the hardware will begin to show signs of its age.
How about a little bit of a letdown?
It is not as accommodating to my bigger glasses; the eye area on the new Quest is a little bit smaller, and the foam cushioning that is supplied feels more hard and cushier than it normally would. However, my spectacles seem to be a little bit more squished in than they were on the previous Quest. I am considering purchasing a fit pack from Meta, which costs fifty dollars and has a variety of snap-out foam frames that are designed to accommodate a variety of facial shapes.
It takes a very long time to recharge the headset, which has a lifespan of two to three hours comparable to that of the final quest. In my experience, the battery life may be depleted in a single evening, at which point I will need to recharge it. Additionally, the process of recharging takes a considerable amount of time—at least an hour—which means that you will be required to take a break from virtual reality regardless of whether or not you are comfortable with the idea. The Elite Strap that Meta sells comes with an additional power pack and a convenient case, both of which were of great use to me during my longer-term gaming sessions.
The USB-C cable that is given has been significantly shortened. The original Quest came with a USB-C cable that was very lengthy and could be used to charge the device while it was being played or to tie it to a personal computer using the same cable. Due to the lower length of the charge cable that comes with the Quest 2, there is no way to do that. The longer wire that Meta offers costs $80, but you could also purchase your own cable to use for connecting your PC to your Oculus Link.
The Quest, which costs $400, has a storage capacity of 128 gigabytes, which is sufficient for the majority of individuals (approximately a dozen different games and applications). The fact that there is no extendable storage means that you will need to make a cautious selection. Users who are serious about virtual reality should think about the 256GB option.
In comparison to the original Quest OLED display, the blacks of the LCD display are not as dark. Although the fast-switch LCD on the Quest 2 is superior in most respects, the black levels are noticeably lower than those on the Quest 1. I am much more conscious of the light coming from the display when I am in a gloomy virtual movie theater or when I am playing a dark game such as The Room VR. (On the plus side, websites with colorful graphics and text seem to have a more vivid appearance.)
Adjusting the interpupillary distance (IPD) for my eyes was a bit of a learning process. The previous quest was a great match for my eyes and also had a slider that could alter the interpupillary distance to accommodate eye distances for almost everyone. The slider has been replaced in Quest 2 with three preset eye distance settings (53, 63, and 68 mm) that are designed to accommodate the majority of individuals. However, at first, none of these settings seemed like they were a good match for my vision. After some time had passed, I readjusted the straps to fit my head, and I began to see improvements in the outcomes. For your information, I also wear heavy prescription glasses.
Using it in direct sunlight is not really an option. It is best to keep the Oculus Quest 2 indoors since it is similar to a vampire. The screens are susceptible to irreversible damage if beams of sunshine penetrate the inner lenses, and when I played outdoors, the headset tracking had some difficulty locating the controllers. Direct sunlight may cause permanent harm to the displays. Even though I’ve conducted some tests in the great outdoors on occasion, this serves as a reminder that virtual reality headsets are not yet something that can be taken absolutely anywhere and used on a daily basis.
What happens next with Meta? But is there a possibility that this is a magical portal to more?
The path that Meta is on into the future is paved with augmented-reality smart glasses that are capable of blending the virtual and the real, although this may not be possible for some years. The Quest 3 is a bridge towards working with mixed reality as a stepping stone to augmented reality (AR), and although the Quest 2 can accomplish a little of that with its black and white cameras, the Quest 2 is obviously an old piece of technology that may be removed from the lineup at some point in the future.
For the time being, however, it continues to be a quality portable gaming system that offers a great deal of advantages. That is precisely the reason why you need to get it. My son, who is 14 years old, is a huge fan of it, and several of my friends have begun using it for their exercises at home. It is a device that is both ingenious and yet excellent.
In addition to whatever issues you may have about Facebook and data, there is also the matter of how accessible Meta will allow its virtual reality realm to be. Although it is simple to link the quest to personal computers, what about the future of mobile devices? How will the Quest integrate with the applications that we use on a daily basis? But at the moment, it does not. There is a consistent promise from Mark Zuckerberg that the future of the Quest will be open. To be a part of the future, however, the quest has to find a way to be a part of it as well. The future will be about phones and tablets that can link to virtual reality and augmented reality.
For the time being, the Quest 2 continues to be an excellent choice for a virtual reality headset on a budget. The majority of individuals do not want to spend a lot of money on the novelty of virtual reality (VR). As far as you are going to go, $300 is about as good as it gets.
