Virtual reality (VR) has come a long way in recent years, with headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 bringing immersive VR experiences to the masses without the need for a tethered PC connection.
But with the recent rebranding from Oculus to Meta, there has been some confusion around whether the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 are different devices.
In this detailed comparison guide, we’ll break down the key similarities and differences between the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 to help you decide which standalone VR headset is the best choice for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Oculus Quest 2 | Meta Quest 2 |
| Hardware | Identical | Identical |
| Display | 1832×1920 per eye, 90Hz | 1832×1920 per eye, 90Hz |
| Tracking | 4 cameras, inside-out, 6DoF | 4 cameras, inside-out, 6DoF |
| Controllers | Oculus Touch | Oculus Touch |
| Performance | Snapdragon XR2, 6GB RAM | Snapdragon XR2, 6GB RAM |
| Battery Life | 2-3 hours | 2-3 hours |
| Apps/Games | Full Oculus library | Full Oculus library |
| PC Connectivity | Oculus Link & Air Link | Oculus Link & Air Link |
| Accessories | Fully compatible | Fully compatible |
| Branding | Oculus logo | Meta logo |
| Software | Oculus UI | Meta Horizon UI |
Meta Quest 2 Vs. Oculus Quest 2: Key Specs Compared
Since the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2 are the same headset, they share identical technical specifications and hardware capabilities:
- Display: Fast-switch LCD display with 1832×1920 pixels per eye, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform
- Memory: 128GB or 256GB storage, 6GB RAM
- Battery life: 2-3 hours of continual use
- Tracking: 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) inside-out tracking via 4 cameras
- Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, 3.5mm audio jack
- Controllers: Oculus Touch controllers with 6DoF and hand-tracking
The Meta Quest 2 features the same blazing fast performance and stunning visuals as the Oculus Quest 2. It delivers a wireless, console-quality VR gaming experience without the need for a PC or external sensors.
Both headsets also share the same content library, accessories ecosystem, and cross-buy support. Any app or game you owned on the Oculus Quest 2 will still work on the Meta Quest 2.
Also Read: Comparison Between Valve Index and Meta Quest Pro
Meta Quest 2 Vs. Oculus Quest 2: Key Features Compared
Let’s take a closer look at some of the core features offered by both the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2:
- Standalone VR design
The Meta Quest 2 retains the same groundbreaking standalone VR design as the Oculus Quest 2. There are no wires or external PC/console required.
The onboard processor, memory, battery, and tracking cameras are built right into the headset. You can easily take the Meta Quest 2 anywhere and jump into immersive virtual worlds wherever you go.
Many competitors like the HTC Vive Focus 3 still require a tethered connection. The Quest 2’s untethered experience remains industry-leading.
- Inside-out tracking
Both headsets utilize Oculus’s state-of-the-art inside-out tracking system via 4 ultra wide-angle cameras mounted on the headset.
This allows 6DoF motion tracking without any external sensors installed in your environment. The cameras map your playspace and track your exact head and hand movements as you game and interact in VR.
Inside-out tracking makes the Meta Quest 2 super easy to set up. Just put the headset on and you’re ready to dive into virtual worlds within seconds.
- Oculus Touch Controllers
The Meta Quest 2 supports the same intuitive Oculus Touch controllers as the Oculus Quest 2. They provide natural hand and finger tracking for fully immersive interaction in VR.
The controllers strap onto your hands and detect motions like pointing, waving, grabbing, and punching. Their ergonomic design makes gameplay feel responsive and lifelike.
Each controller has buttons, triggers, and analog sticks for conventional gaming inputs. Capacitive touch sensors enable finger gesture recognition as well.
- High resolution display
With 1832×1920 pixels per eye, the Meta Quest 2 headset matches the Oculus Quest 2’s industry-leading display resolution.
This amounts to 3764×1920 total pixels across dual fast-switch LCD displays with minimized screen door effect. Visuals are incredibly sharp and life-like.
The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth, comfortable gaming and video playback too. Many competing headsets use lower resolution screens with a dated 60-70Hz refresh rate.
- Roomscale and arena-scale VR
The Oculus Quest 2 opened up new possibilities for roomscale and arena-scale VR gaming. The Meta Quest 2 offers those same capabilities.
With the freedom of wireless VR, you can now play in spaces up to 25 x 25 feet – even outdoors. The Meta Quest 2 isn’t confined to a small stationary playspace.
Developers are creating more expansive multiplayer apps that take advantage of arena-scale VR on the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2.
- Oculus Link for PC VR gaming
Both headsets give you the option to enjoy PC VR content from Steam and the Oculus Store. Just connect a USB-C cable from your gaming PC to the headset.
Oculus Link streams Rift-quality VR games to your Meta/Oculus Quest wirelessly. You can access advanced titles that require more power like Half-Life: Alyx.
When using Oculus Link, the Meta Quest 2 taps into the horsepower of your PC’s graphics card. Visuals are boosted well beyond what the standalone headset can deliver.
- Oculus Air Link for wireless PC VR
In addition to Oculus Link, the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 support Oculus Air Link. This allows completely wireless PC VR gaming without any cables.
As long as your gaming PC and WiFi router are close to your playspace, Air Link streams SteamVR and Oculus Rift games over WiFi.
Air Link is enabled via the Oculus PC and mobile apps. The image quality and latency match a cabled Oculus Link connection if you have a strong 5GHz WiFi signal.
This makes the Meta Quest 2 the most flexible wireless/tethered hybrid VR headset ever made. No competitors offer native wireless PC VR gameplay like Air Link provides.
- Cross-buy game support
The Meta Quest 2 enjoys the same cross-buy support as the Oculus Quest 2 for Oculus Store content.
If you already owned games on the Oculus Quest 2, you can download the Meta Quest 2 versions for free. Your game library seamlessly carries over after the rebrand.
Any future Oculus Store purchases will also unlock both the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2 versions of the game. This cross-buy feature makes it easy to switch between headset names.
- Accessories ecosystem
From prescription lens inserts to carry cases and controller grips, the Meta Quest 2 works with the whole range of Oculus Quest 2 accessories.
Third party accessory makers like VR Cover, AMVR, and KIWI design quickly adapted their products to the Meta rebranding.
Owners can further customize and enhance their experience with the same accessories previously purchased for the Oculus Quest 2. Nothing needs replacement.
Also Read: Choose Between HP Reverb G2 And Oculus Quest 2.
Meta Quest 2 Vs. Oculus Quest 2: Software Differences
When Facebook transitioned from the Oculus Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 2, they updated the software and user interface:
- Renamed Oculus app
The Oculus mobile app became the Meta Quest app. This is used for headset setup, account management, content browsing, social features, and more.
Functionally, the Meta Quest mobile app works the same as the previous Oculus app. Just with updated branding and visuals.
- New user interface
Oculus Home evolved into Meta Horizon Home. This is the virtual environment you occupy when first putting on the headset.
Horizon Home features a new minimalist design with redesigned avatars. You can decorate your space with 3D objects and multimedia.
Navigation feels very similar to Oculus Home otherwise. You access your games, apps, store, and social features through Horizon Home.
- Account migration
Oculus accounts had to be merged into new Meta accounts during the rebrand. This allowed unified login access across Meta VR products like the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Horizon Worlds.
Account migration was optional initially but soon became mandatory. All your purchases and data carried over after merging accounts.
- Branding changes
Any Oculus branding got replaced with Meta logos. This affected aspects like the boot animation when powering on the headset and the logo on controller accessories.
Aside from cosmetic changes like these, the core VR software experience remains the same. The switch from Oculus to Meta branding was intended to be subtle.
Meta Quest 2 Vs. Oculus Quest 2: Game & App Library
The Meta Quest 2 grants access to the exact same content library as the Oculus Quest 2:
- Oculus Store with hundreds of VR games, fitness apps, streaming video services, social platforms, and productivity tools.
- Sideloading unofficial apps and game files.
- SteamVR library support via Oculus Link and Air Link.
- Cross-play with Rift titles.
- App Lab experimental section.
Popular titles like Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4 VR, Population: One, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge are fully compatible with the Meta Quest 2.
The name change from Oculus to Meta has zero impact on the games and apps you can enjoy. Developers simply updated branding to support Meta too.
You’ll have access to the same continuously expanding content library as Oculus Quest 2 owners. All new releases are available on both headsets simultaneously.
Meta Quest 2 Vs. Oculus Quest 2: Which Is Better?
Put simply – the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2 are equally great standalone VR headsets with no major differences.
The only changes were external branding and software updates to align with Meta’s new corporate name. Under the hood, these headsets have identical features and performance capabilities.
So whether you say Oculus Quest 2 or Meta Quest 2, it is physically the exact same piece of hardware inside – just with a different outer logo.
Most consumers can use the names interchangeably. We recommend thinking of it as the Meta Quest 2 (previously Oculus Quest 2). This rebrand didn’t introduce any new headset model.
Existing Oculus Quest 2 owners received a free upgrade to the Meta Quest 2 via firmware updates. For new buyers, we suggest going with the Meta Quest 2 since Oculus models are no longer manufactured. But you can’t go wrong with either option – it’s the same groundbreaking standalone VR headset.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 are physically identical headsets. Meta Quest is simply the new brand name after Facebook’s corporate rebranding to Meta in 2021.
There are zero hardware or performance differences between the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2. The only changes are cosmetic to reflect the new Meta branding. It’s the same headset under a different name.
No, the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2 are evenly matched. Since they are the same headset, there are no advantages of one over the other. Both provide the same cutting-edge standalone VR experience.
Upgrading is unnecessary since the Oculus Quest 2 became the Meta Quest 2 via a software update. If you already own an Oculus Quest 2, you now have a Meta Quest 2. New buyers may prefer the Meta branding, but there is no upgrade needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 are identical VR headsets with no hardware differences. The Meta rebranding didn’t introduce any new features or upgrades.
These headsets provide the same unrivaled standalone VR experience complete with 6DoF tracking, Touch controls, high-res displays, wireless PC streaming, and a vast content library.
So whether you opt for Oculus or Meta, you can look forward to premium virtual reality without any wires holding you back. The future is still bright for this pioneering all-in-one headset.