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Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: Is There a Difference?

Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2 infographic

Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: Is There a Difference?

Is there a difference between the Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2? In short, no. There are only two minor differences between the devices. It’s not the price, resolution, refresh rate, features, accessories, storage, or battery life. The only true changes between the Oculus Quest 2 and the re-brand to Meta Quest 2 are the logo and name of the software. The physical device is exactly the same between the original version and the re-brand. 

The same storage options are also offered for the same prices. You can play Meta’s top VR games standalone or by tethering to a PC on both VR headsets. For all intents and purposes, the re-brand is considered a simple name change. However, if you’re curious about the popular virtual reality headset, let’s dive into a few specifics about it, shall we?

Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: Side-by-Side Comparison

Meta Quest 2Oculus Quest 2
Name:Meta Quest 2It began as Oculus Quest 2, but it is now Meta Quest 2
What It Is:Standalone VR HeadsetStandalone VR Headset
Primary Use:VR gaming, spatial computing, remote work, social mediaVR gaming, spatial computing, remote work, social media
Logo:A stylized “M” using an infinity loopAn elongated letter “O”
Release:The device was re-branded and re-released as Meta Quest 2 in 20222020
Great Entry-Level VR Headset
Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset
$249.00
  • Self-contained, no PC required
  • 360-degree field of view
  • 3D positional audio
  • Hand tracking with haptic feedback
  • 128GB
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 09:11 am GMT

What Is Oculus Quest 2?

The Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone VR headset. Oculus founder Luckey Palmer designed the original Oculus VR headset. It started with the Oculus Rift series and evolved from a line of VR headsets that required a tether to a VR-ready PC to standalone VR headsets with the Quest series.

Facebook and Samsung teamed up for the Gear VR in an early attempt to bring VR to mobile devices. While it received mixed reviews, the device inspired the Oculus Go. The Oculus Go mimicked everything about the Gear VR while removing the need for a smartphone. The downside was VR experiences and software, which are rather limited compared to what is possible on PCVR. Then, Facebook released the Oculus Quest.

Oculus Quest 2
The Oculus Quest 2 was officially re-branded as the Meta Quest 2 in 2022.

It was the first iteration of a standalone VR headset with inside-out tracking and two motion controllers for immersive VR experiences. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR1 is the processor in the original Quest, which also became the device’s biggest limitation. While the XR chip is powerful, it wasn’t quite ready to bring the whole PCVR experience to a mobile device with an SoC.

In 2020, Facebook released the Oculus Quest 2 powered by the XR2. The per-eye resolution improved, and the device is capable of a 120Hz refresh rate. There are two variants of this headset. It’s $299 for the 64GB model and $499 for the 256GB model. Within a year, it became apparent that 64GB would not be enough. Facebook then replaced the base model with a 128GB model, lowering the 256GB price by $100 to $399.

Why Did the Name Change to Meta Quest 2?

By November 2021, Facebook had expanded well beyond just running one of the most popular social media websites in existence. The company had purchased and created social media applications that spanned every genre. They had also focused heavily on the advancement of the Oculus Labs Quest product line. With so much under its belt, the company changed its name to Meta.

The change in branding was purposeful and meant to signify a new direction for the company that focused on the Metaverse over just Facebook alone. The Oculus Quest 2 was their main device for accessing the Metaverse outside of flat screens. So, with the new focus, Oculus Quest 2 was officially re-branded as the Meta Quest 2 in 2022.

Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2 Specs

The specs for each device are the same. As we noted, other than a logo change and a name change, they are identical.

  • Operating System: Quest System Software
  • SoC (System on a Chip): Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
  • Storage: 64 GB (discontinued in July 2021), 128 GB, or 256 GB
  • Memory: 6 GB
  • Display: 1,832 x 1,920 per eye @ 120 Hz, LCD
  • Graphics: Adreno 650 (~1.2 TFLOPS)
  • Sound: Two built-in side-mounted speakers, 3.5mm audio jack
  • Input: 6DoF (6 Degrees of Freedom) inside-out motion tracking, hand tracking, Oculus Touch controllers, Bluetooth, microphone
  • Cameras: Four infrared cameras
  • Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
  • Battery Life: Two to three hours
  • Weight: 503g (17.7 oz)
  • Online Services: Oculus Store, Steam VR (through Oculus Link to VR-ready computer)
  • Original MSRP: $299 for 128 GB, $399 for 256 GB

Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2 Games and Accessories

PlayStation VR vs Meta Quest 2
With no physical changes to the device, accessories can be used on either the Meta Quest 2 or the Oculus 2.

Like the Oculus Quest 2, the Meta Quest 2 has access to a standalone Oculus Store preinstalled on the VR headset upon purchase. It can also be tethered to a PC via Wi-Fi or USB-C to access the PCVR Oculus Store and Steam VR titles. With support for Open XR APIs expanding, you can play any game that has a VR option with Meta Quest 2.

The list of customizations and aftermarket parts that can be used with the Meta Quest 2, and thus the Oculus Quest 2, continues to expand dramatically. Since the brand change did not come with physical changes to the device, all accessories, head straps, wrist straps, stickers, protective coverings, and interfaces can be used with either one.

The Meta Quest 3

Now Available
Meta Quest 3
$499.00
  • 2x the graphic processing power of Quest 2 with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
  • Mixed reality blends virtual elements and physical space
  • 4K+ Infinite display
  • 3D audio with enhanced clarity and bass
  • Touch Plus controllers deliver a more intuitive experience
  • Library of over 500 titles
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/12/2024 12:27 pm GMT

The Meta Quest 3 is the company’s newest VR headset and it’s an interesting alternative to the Quest 2 or Pro. While the biggest change is evident when you first set eyes on the Meta Quest 3, the specifications have changed considerably. 

A Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and 8GB of RAM power the Meta Quest 3. There are also two storage options. You can choose from 128GB or 512GB, and the resolution has also improved. It’s 2,064 x 2,208 per eye on the Quest 3, which has a pixel density of 1,218. That’s better than the Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2.

Meta improved hand-tracking with this headset, which has new controllers. It also has a new feature with a 4MP color passthrough. This headset is designed with AR in mind. Compared to the previous generations, it’s a much better choice for augmented or mixed reality. You can learn more about the Meta Quest 3 in our breakdown of this high-tech headset.

Meta Quest Pricing and Sales

Young Asian man gamer wear gray hoodie with VR oculus hold VR joystick controllers feeling exciting with new experience of game stand front sofa living room home at night. Virtual reality concept.
The Meta Quest 3 was launched in 2023.

Thankfully, VR isn’t as expensive as it used to be. The Meta Quest family is the best way to break into this immersive world. All three headsets are still available, although pricing and availability vary by model and the time of year. 

Meta Quest Pro: Launched in 2022 with a starting price of $999. It’s currently available for purchase online and in select retail stores.

Oculus/Meta Quest 2: Launched in 2020 with a starting price of $299 (64GB) and $399 (256GB). In August of 2022, the Meta Quest 2 prices increased by $100 for both sizes. However, with the new model’s arrival, you can often find the Meta Quest 2 for around $250 or less. 

Meta Quest 3: Launched in 2023 with a starting price of $499 (128GB) and $649 (512GB). You can purchase the Meta Quest 3 from Meta and through select retail stores. 

Both the Meta Quest Pro and Quest 2 offer high-quality VR experiences, but the Quest 2 is significantly more affordable and more widely available. The Meta Quest Pro is a newer option with improved specs, but it may not be as accessible to the average consumer. 

The Meta Quest 3 is in the middle of the pack with pricing. It’s cheaper than the Pro but just as capable, although twice the price of the Meta Quest 2. Reports indicate consumers have so far overwhelmingly been opting for the Meta Quest 2 over the Meta Quest 3, with Quest 2 selling at a rate of about 2 to 1. However, reports from the holiday season suggest both headsets have experienced growth, with as many as 240,000 total Quest headsets being sold during the Black Friday period.

Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: The Impact of the Brand Change

The release of the Meta Quest 2 marked a significant change for the VR headset brand, with many consumers wondering how it compared to the popular Oculus Quest 2. New brand names can take time to get used to, and the old brands often have true consumer loyalty.

Oculus was a brand that had been known as the biggest name in VR innovation. The removal of the Oculus brand was interpreted as a sign of change in how VR is aimed to be designed. VR has been primarily funded by a devoted following with strong ideas of how it should be handled.

The sudden name change to Meta was received by some as a somewhat duplicitous move by Facebook and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. However, Oculus had been absorbed into Facebook for some time before the name change. The founder of Oculus, Luckey Palmer, had also left Facebook by that time. The advancements in standalone VR are almost purely the result of Facebook’s direction.

The new brand name, Meta, allowed the company to distinguish their VR headset from others. Their gamble paid off. Despite a shrinking VR market, as of December 2023, Meta was the leading VR headset vendor with 49% of the market worldwide.

  1. Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset
    $249.00
    • Self-contained, no PC required
    • 360-degree field of view
    • 3D positional audio
    • Hand tracking with haptic feedback
    • 128GB
    Buy on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/11/2024 09:11 am GMT
  2. Meta Quest 3 128GB Asgard’s Wrath 2 Bundle
    $499.00
    • 2x the graphic processing power of Quest 2 with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
    • Mixed reality blends virtual elements and physical space
    • 4K+ Infinite display
    • 3D audio with enhanced clarity and bass
    • Touch Plus controllers deliver a more intuitive experience
    • Library of over 500 titles
    Buy on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/12/2024 12:27 pm GMT

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meta Quest 2 just a name change for the Oculus Quest 2?

Yes. While the re-brand of Facebook to Meta is a big deal for social media, it has meant only a logo and name change for Quest 2. There are no differences between the two devices. There are no pros and cons to weigh other than whether or not you like the name Meta over Oculus. They have the same features and access to the best games in VR.

Are there aesthetic changes from the Oculus Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 2?

Besides a name change, the original version has been given a new logo to match the Meta brand name changes.

Are there technical changes from the Oculus Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 2?

The Meta Quest 2 and the Oculus Quest 2 are physically the exact same product in every way. They have access to play the best games on VR standalone and PCVR. They have more similarities than you’d think given the name change.

Which is better, the Oculus Quest 2 or the Meta Quest 2?

More nostalgic VR players are likely to want to keep the Oculus logo on the outside of their headsets. However, there are no performance differences between the original version of the Quest 2 and the re-brand.

Is the Meta Quest 3 better than the Oculus Quest 2?

The Meta Quest 3 is an improvement over the Meta Quest or Oculus Quest 2 in every way.

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