Oculus Quest 2: Is it still worth buying in 2023?

Although Oculus Quest 2 (currently referred to as the Meta Quest 2) was introduced a couple of years ago, it remains one of the most favorable options for virtual reality fans. Many distinctive characteristics have kept Meta Quest 2 an in-demand product; Exceptional flexibility, easy setup, and access to a massive collection of games and applications.

Moreover, for a long time, Oculus Quest 2 was pretty much unrivaled in the market. No true competitor could match its quality and performance. Even if some companies could’ve managed to offer a high-quality VR headset, it was either too expensive or suffered from a serious performance problem.

That said, Oculus Quest 2 was never The Perfect choice either. Besides the pricing, the Meta Quest 2 had a well-known battery life problem and low graphics performance compared to some PCVR devices. With all that being said, is buying Meta Quest 2 still a good choice in 2023? Let’s find out the answer.

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What Is Oculus Quest 2?

Oculus Quest 2 is a virtual reality headset designed and developed by Meta Platforms in 2020. This VR headset was fully compatible with Android systems as well as Oculus Rift-compatible VR software for PC or laptops.

As the name suggests Oculus Quest 2 was inspired by the Oculus Quest’s design but it weighed less and the processor and specs were significantly improved to provide users with a higher-quality VR experience. Higher battery life, better resolution, and improved refresh rate were among the selling points of Oculus Quest.

Released in October 2020, Oculus Quest 2 was warmly welcomed by tech experts and VR fans. But over time, there were a couple of harsh criticisms pointing to systemic flaws such as troublesome interpupillary distance (IPD) setting that wasn’t appreciated by many users.

So, What Makes a Good VR Headset?

For people with no prior experience in evaluating VR headsets, it can be a bit challenging to find the right parameters for evaluating any device. So, let’s start with the basics. A good VR headset should deliver maximum freedom of movement so that users can freely roam around without getting limited by wires.

Moreover, the VR headset must enjoy a robust processor to be able to display high-quality images with the highest resolution possible. The FOV (field of view) is also an essential criterion that will increase immersion, makes wearing a VR headset more comfortable, and offers a more satisfying interactive experience.

The next parameter is motion tracking. Ideally, you want a VR headset with the most accurate tracking features to help you interact with your environment more realistically. Accurate tracking depends on high-quality cameras, a powerful processor, and functional controllers.

And finally, you want a headset that’s comfortable to wear. For years, VR companies have followed traditional design models, which included a lens that magnifies an image placed away from it. This design made headsets bulky and uncomfortable.

How Does Oculus Quest 2 Stand In Comparison?

Now that we know how to compare different VR headsets, it’s time to see how well Quest 2 performs based on these parameters.

Design

In terms of design, Meta Quest 2 is the first wireless headset which is a huge plus for improving the VR experience. However, the wireless nature of the device comes at the price of losing the processing power for some VR games when compared to wired headsets.

The drop in quality and resolution is often negligible since Oculus Quest 2 comes with a relatively strong mobile processor. For the most part, users can receive an astonishing virtual reality experience with the highest resolution.

As far as motion tracking is concerned, Quest 2 has been among the top-performing VR headsets. Controllers are incredibly well-designed, easy to use, and comfortable. With a pair of goggle-like lenses in front of the headset, you’ll get stereoscopic 3D visuals that allow you to move around and see the motions reflected in real time on the screen.

Similar to its predecessor, Quest 2 enjoy a lightweight design. It weighs 17.7 ounces and measures 4.0 by 7.5 by 5.6 inches (HWD), which is slightly lighter than the first-generation Quest with 571 grams (20.1 ounces).

Hardware Improvement

While Quest 2 and the first-generation Quest shared a lot of similarities in design, Quest 2 certainly outperforms most of its competitors when it comes to hardware performance. Thanks to improved RAM (6GB of RAM compared to 4GB in the original Quest) and chip specs (Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2) this headset is the most capable contender in the market.

The internal improvements allow for greater fidelity in experiences on the Quest 2, as well as enhanced resolutions, 50% sharper than the first-generation Quest. The new generation also delivers a more responsive and realistic experience that will guarantee an immersive user interaction.

The refresh rate of Quest is one of the most impressive improvements on the screen. The refresh rate on this device is set per app by the developer, allowing users to choose from 60 Hz to 72 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz. This wide range of options will ensure that you can find the suitable setting for any application and game in the market.

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How to set up the Oculus Quest 2

VR headset setup and installation is often very challenging, especially if you haven’t done it before. The process usually involves spending hours figuring out which wire should be connected to which sensors. But Oculus Quest 2 headset design is quite simple, and with this guide, you should be able to get your headset ready in a couple of minutes.

The first step is connecting the charging cable to a power source to prepare your headset. Then go to the Google Play or iOS App Store and download the Oculus app. Oculus app allows you to set up your headset, connect with your friends on VR and enjoy your experience.

Then press and hold the power button (next to the charging indicator) for 3 seconds to turn on the headset. Once the headset is on, it’s time to make a few adjustments. If you wear glasses, put the front side of the headset on your eyes first and adjust two plastic pieces on the side until it feels perfectly placed on your head.

Now it’s time to try touch controllers. This part might require a little practice, but there is nothing difficult about it. Here are some points to get you started:

1. Use your thumbsticks to roam around the virtual space
2. A and X buttons and triggers on the controllers allow you to select objects. Use B and Y buttons to go back to the previous scene or enter the menu section.
3. To access the universal menu, press the Oculus button. You can also hold the button for a few seconds to recalibrate your view.
4. You can find the Grip button on the side of the controller which allows you to pick up objects with your virtual hand.

The final step is connecting your device to the Wi-Fi. Push a button on your right Touch controller or the trigger to switch on the controllers. After a few seconds, the universal menu will pop up. Find the Quick Settings panel and select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. Use the pop-up keyboard to enter the password, and there you go! You are connected to the world.

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Things You Should Try with Your Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset

VR is a relatively new phenomenon. Most people don’t know the potential of their devices for maximizing their joyful adventures. Here are some ideas you can consider when using your Oculus VR headset:

#1 Stream TV, movies, and videos

Oculus Quest 2 headset supports movie platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Most of these platforms also offer exclusive apps to provide viewers with the most visually appealing experience.

You can also use the Bigscreen app with your headset to simulate a virtual room and watch movies and play interactive games. All you need to do is install Bigscreen Remote Desktop on your PC, log in to the app, and run the Bigscreen on your Quest. You can also share your screen with other people for presentations and other productive purposes.

#2 Join Public Events

Looking for a brilliant idea for your next party? Why not bring people together to watch concerts, comedy shows, sporting events, and more? Powered by Meta, you can set up Venue on your Oculus Quest 2 headset to create interactive environments, or choose the solo mode and join exciting events on a virtual platform.

Facebook’s New Product Experimentation team launched Venue to offer users an interactive second-screen experience for live events. This app is especially great for teachers and students, journalists, business leaders, and remote employees who want to join an ongoing event from the comfort of their homes.

#3 Get Some Exercise

For a lot of people, video games are closely tied to a sedentary lifestyle. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. With virtual reality platforms and Quest 2 headsets, you have everything you need to engage in active exercise while playing games.

You can also use your device to grow your muscles, burn fat, and improve your cardiovascular system. Remember that you might have to make some adjustments to get your device set for a specific exercise plan. But once you make the adjustments, you’ll see that Quest 2 can be an excellent addition to your at-home gym routine.

#4 Find New Friends

We had so many lessons to learn from the pandemic. But the most important one was that nothing can stop us from making new friends and staying in touch with our family and loved ones. Virtual reality technology was certainly one of the essential factors that made social interaction more joyful during quarantine.

But today, even without social distancing, VR equipment offers unprecedented opportunities to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. The truth is that VR will be an inevitable part of futuristic social interactions. So, we might as well prepare ourselves for this exciting future.

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#5 Unleash Your Creativity

If you think VR is just about entertainment, you are Wrong! VR headsets and equipment are perfect choices for education and improving your creative skills. From drawing to painting, sketching, sculpting, you name it! VR has a solution for it!

VR art allows you to play around with shapes, colors, and limitless tools to improve your artistic instincts. Plus, you can visit museums, art galleries, and studios from your room and explore the details of each artwork at your own pace.

Bottom Line

Is Meta Quest 2 headset still worth it in 2023? Depends! If you are looking for a magnificent stand-alone VR headset with exceptional quality and astonishing performance, then Quest 2 is probably one of your best options. Plus, if you already have all the kits and accessories for Oculus Quest 1, you can save a lot on your new purchase.

There are a few downsides that you should also consider before buying this device. First, setting up the Quest 2 headset requires a Facebook account, which can be annoying for some people. In terms of battery life and graphics (compared to PCVR), Meta Quest 2 may not deliver the highest performance.

However, from a technical perspective, despite all the upcoming alternatives and a handful of performance-related problems, the Meta Quest 2 will continue to be a worthwhile choice in 2023. And don’t forget that Quest 3 is expected to be released in late 2023. So, stay tuned!

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