Oculus Quest 2 Review – Is It a Better VR Than the Original?
- By Jeff Pitterman
- April 26, 2023
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Review Overview
Summary
Oculus Quest 2 is the VR that will get you to another dimension within seconds.
The successor of Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2 was first revealed to the public in September 2020. Today, a year later, Facebook’s second-generation VR falls among the most sought-after VR headsets.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Display | 1832x1920 per eye, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB or 256GB |
| Tracking | Inside-Out tracking with 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) |
| Controllers | Oculus Touch controllers |
| Audio | Built-in speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | 2-3 hours of gameplay |
| Weight | Approximately 503 grams |
| Software | Oculus Quest platform with access to VR games and apps |
In this Oculus Quest 2 review, we talk about the tech specifications and what they really mean in terms of improvements compared to the original. You’ll be able to find all features the Oculus Quest 2 has, learn its ups and downs, and make a head-to-head comparison with its predecessor.
We’ve also gathered information from other Oculus VR review peers, including real user Quest 2 reviews and we are happy to share them with you.
Take a look and decide whether Oculus Quest 2 is the VR that you’ve been looking for.
Oculus Quest 2 Review: What’s the Tea?
The Oculus Quest 2 is a cordless augmented reality headset that allows users to share virtual worlds with their online peers. You may wander around such artificial worlds and engage with the elements within the realm while being accompanied by others from all across the globe. That’s right – with Oculus Quest 2, you can meet up with your friends in another dimension. Gotta love technology, right?
The integrated Android-based OS is powered by a fast Snapdragon chipset. This allows users to access applications straight out of the VR headset, without having to connect to a PC or a gaming platform.
Oculus Quest 2 Tech Specifications:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
- RAM: 6GB
- Built-in Storage: 64GB, 128GB or 256GB
- Graphics: Adreno 650
- Resolution per Eye: 1832 x 1920
- Cameras: 4
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C
- Battery Life: 2 to 3 hours
- Charging Time: 2.5 hours
Oculus VR 2 Review – Main Perks
Our Oculus VR Review of Oculus 2 is all about the main features. We’ll talk about all its perks, including how Facebook has advanced its VR technology since their first-gen Oculus Quest VR headset launched.
Oculus Quest 2 – Wireless Experience
Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone VR device – meaning, you won’t have any tangled cords, external sensors, nor you’d need a PC device to enjoy augmented reality. The Quest 2 is running on its own operating system and stores applications and games on its internal storage.
The combination of a thin headset, the convenience of use, superb performance, and competitive pricing has never made it easier to enter the virtual reality market.
However, if you plan to use the Oculus 2 over long stances, you might want to opt-in for ultimate comfort, and get the Elite strap.
Oculus Quest 2 – Connect it to Your PC
Oculus Quest 2 is a cordless, standalone device, that’s true. But, you can make it even more powerful if you connect it to your PC. Using additional GPU’s processing capacity allows you to create realistic visuals that are far too heavy for the integrated mobile processor to handle.
You can connect your Oculus Quest 2 to your PC or a gaming console, by a USB-C cable or through a 5GHz WiFi connection. By doing so, your VR headset will have access to the highest-quality videogames and services. The cables required for the external connection are not part of the VR package though – just like with the Oculus Quest 1.
Following are the minimum PC requirements:
- Processor: Intel i5-4590; AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or above;
- RAM: 8GB or more;
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970; AMD Radeon 400 Series or higher;
- Running OS: Windows 10
Oculus Quest 2 – Hand Tracking
The layout is similar to the Oculus Quest – scoop-shaped paddles with two hand controls for shooting guns and grasping items, including interactive thumbsticks and a set of facial controls. One should also utilize the supplied bracelets to keep these from speeding away during a heated sword battle.
The joystick works on AA batteries, rather unusual compared to other VR sets. Though, it is noted that the batteries last for a long while, which counts as a huge plus.
The Quest 2’s motion recognition is precise, much like its predecessor. However, movements like gripping or tilting your hand might be mistakenly activated, while moving the pointer with your fingers doesn’t necessarily aim where you want it to.
As a result, the hand tracker is more of a benefit than a full-fledged functionality for the time being.
Oculus Quest 2 – Sound
As you’d see in other VR Oculus Quest review articles, the audio equipment of Oculus Quest 2 isn’t new – but it is as amazing as it can be.
The VR Oculus Quest review is all about the embedded speakers which deliver clean, powerful music with excellent directional cues. The same can be said about the successor of Quest 1!
Quest 2 offers a convenient 3.5mm connection for attaching whatever earbuds you choose for even greater realistic sound. The integrated mic on the Oculus Quest 2 is also known for its admirable performance.
Oculus Quest 2 – Gamer’s First Choice
Oculus Quest 2 is possibly every gamer’s best friend. Given its price tag – it is more affordable than you’d think, especially in comparison to other VR headsets.
You can get the headset for a starting price of $299 – $100 cheaper than Quest 1.
A newer and better VR headset that costs less – what’s not to love?
Speaking of gaming, Quest 2 has a better refresh rate than the first-gen VR, with a max of 120Hz – which is more than enough for an immense gaming experience.
Now that we’ve covered the graphics, the controllers, and the audio – we can already see us playing our favorite indie games!
Oculus Quest 2 – Start Your First Ever VR Socialization
This Oculus Quest Review is about to shine – Quest 2 allows you to meet up with your friends and join the newest socialization trend – VR socialization.
While most VR headsets let you dive into augmenting reality alone – Quest 2 begs to differ. Facebook’s headset allows you to play games with your friends, or even make new friends from all over the world.
No matter which multiplayer game you choose, you’ll be able to find another pal in the social world of Oculus Quest 2.
Oculus Quest 2 – Immense Applications & Games
The VR Oculus Quest review is here to let you know that you’ll no longer be smashing your surroundings due to being blinded by VR headsets.
Oculus Quest 2 has mixed VR with your real-world surroundings, allowing you to see where the objects in the room are while browsing through applications and games.
Facebook has already teamed up with game-developing giants such as EA and Ubisoft. That means you can expect the best of both worlds the next time you open the game library.
Another thing that made us write this Oculus VR 2 review is the fact that there are soon-to-be-published games, which will be exclusively for Quest 2!
Oculus Quest 2 - Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wireless VR experience | Requires a Facebook account |
| Affordable price point | Limited battery life (2-3 hours) |
| Standalone device | Heavier and less comfortable than some other headsets |
| Easy setup and portability | Limited storage capacity (64GB or 256GB options) |
| Wide range of games and apps | Lower graphical fidelity compared to high-end PC VR headsets |
| Improved resolution and display quality | Not compatible with some older Oculus games |
| Optional PC connectivity | No native support for external headphones |
| Intuitive hand tracking | Some users may experience motion sickness |
Oculus VR 2 Review: Final Words
Our Oculus Quest 2 review has covered the main aspects of Quest 2, including the good and the bad sides of the VR headset – and we love it!
If you’ve already decided to buy Oculus’s newest VR set, you should be aware that you’ll need a Facebook account in order to be able to access the VR ecosystem.
And if you still are unsure whether you should get Oculus Quest 2, we’re hoping this will help make up your mind.
Get the Oculus Quest 2 if you want a modern design for a low price tag, great controllers, sound depth, and an impressive game portfolio!
Keep on looking if you’d not like having to buy AA batteries or additional cables, or if you aren’t a fan of opening or using your Facebook account.
FAQs
Yes. You can connect your Oculus Quest 2 with a gaming control. However, the connection cable isn’t sold together with the VR set. Therefore, you would have to get one in order to be able to do so.
Yes, you can! You can charge the Oculus Quest 2 while using it; however, you’d have to have your headset attached to a cable.
Yes! Go to the application library to download any of the available movie streaming apps or dedicated music applications and you’re good to go!
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