Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Upgrade or Stick with the Old?

Welcome to the ultimate face-off: Quest 2 vs Quest 3! If you’re a proud owner of a Quest 2, you might be wondering if it’s time to part ways with your trusty sidekick and buy a shiny new Quest 3 when it launches in fall. The estimated release date is anticipated to be on September 27, 2023, at ​​Meta Connect.

Or perhaps you’re new to the VR world, standing at the crossroads, trying to decide which headset to invite into your life. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll cover the key enhancements that the Meta Quest 3 offers over the Meta / Oculus Quest 2. So, let’s delve into the details!

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: The Price Factor

Price is often a decisive factor when it comes to buying a new product. The Meta Quest 3 is priced at $499 for the 128GB model, a $200 increase compared to its predecessor with the same storage. But it’s much cheaper than the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro. The Quest 2, with 256GB, sells for $429, and the 128GB model is now $299 since June.

Although the Quest 3 comes with a higher price tag than the Quest 2, it does offer a host of new hardware and features. So while the Quest 3 might require a bigger investment, it also promises a bigger return in terms of performance and user experience.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Comfort

Meta has revealed that the visor of the Quest 3 is 40% slimmer than the Quest 2’s. Even so, it maintains a similar overall weight, as confirmed by the company’s CTO. And like the Quest 2, the Quest 3 comes with a fabric head strap except that it is Y-shaped. We think this should give a better fit and weight distribution.

Interestingly, a Twitter profile photo from Meta’s ‘VP Metaverse Experience’, Jason Rubin, hints at a possible Elite Strap upgrade. As with the Quest 2, Quest 3 users may have the option to replace the standard strap with a sturdier alternative.

VR Cover for Oculus Quest 2

Looking to level up your Quest 2 VR experience? We’ve got just the thing – our VR Cover accessories! They’re designed with your comfort and hygiene in mind. Our range includes washable cotton VR covers, easy-to-clean PU leather foam replacement and facial interface sets, glasses spacers and more. Take a look at these Quest 2 add-ons available at our online stores:

Meta Quest 2 Specs vs Meta Quest 3 Specs

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Performance

While the full details of the Meta Quest 3 specs remain undisclosed (the specs listed above have been updated since its release on 10 October 2023), it is confirmed that the Quest 3 will use a Qualcomm chipset, potentially the Snapdragon XR2+ or newer. This will enhance the speed of navigating the interface and launching apps. Gaming on the Quest 3 will also feel faster than on the Quest 2. Meta claims that the Quest 3 will deliver “twice the graphical performance” of the Quest 2’s Snapdragon XR2. This means VR on the Quest 3 will appear more detailed and realistic.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Displays

While the Quest 2’s display is decent, other headsets offer superior visual quality. For instance, the PSVR2 boasts two 4K OLED displays. The Quest 2 offers a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye, on par with the Meta Quest Pro. Although the specific screen specifications of the Quest 3 have not yet been officially announced, Meta has mentioned that the Quest 3 combines their highest resolution display with pancake optics, which will result in content that looks better than ever.

The Quest 3 is also rumored to have an improved field of view (FOV) compared to the Quest 2. The Quest 3’s higher resolution display and pancake optics, plus an improved FOV, should make for a more immersive experience. Its LCD display has about 30% more resolution than the Quest 2 as described on Best Buy, which translates to 4,128 x 2,208 pixels in total, or 2,064 x 2,208 pixels for each eye.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Mixed Reality Features

The Quest 2 and Quest 3 differ significantly in their mixed reality capabilities. While the Quest 2 offers basic location tracking through its black and white video Passthrough, the Quest 3 takes mixed reality to the next level. It has two 4MP RGB color Passthrough cameras on its front visor that will deliver 10x the Passthrough resolution of Quest 2. This means you’ll get more accurate colors and a lifelike view of the surrounding environment.

The Quest 3 also introduces a first-of-its-kind depth sensor on the front. This sensor helps the Smart Guardian system map your room automatically. This means virtual and real objects can interact more realistically. For example, a virtual ball will bounce off real objects that you’ve marked out in VR, just like a real ball would.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Design

The design of the Quest 3 is a noticeable departure from the Quest 2. (See what is looks like in a leaked, unboxing video!) Slimmer and more streamlined, its small-form factor is made possible by the use of pancake optics. The front of the headset is adorned with three pill-shaped compartments that house the camera and sensor array, along with two extra tracking cameras on the lower sides.

The Quest 3’s revamped design also includes a wheel for adjusting the lens distance, allowing users to customize the interpupillary distance (IPD). Although it will retain a USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio port, their positions have been changed, which means some Quest 2 accessories will not be compatible with the new model, such as the Quest 2 Elite Strap. In fact, a Reddit post has suggested that a Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery will be made available soon.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Controllers

The Quest 3 will feature Meta’s newly designed Touch Plus controllers. These controllers are not only sleeker and more comfortable to hold, but they also provide enhanced haptic feedback for a more immersive experience.

Unlike the Quest 2’s Touch controllers, which have IR LED rings, or the self-tracking Touch Pro controllers, which have cameras, the Touch Plus controllers lack these features. Instead, they will have a full-body LED layout. This design, combined with the depth sensor, gives more precise controller-free hand tracking.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Battery Life

The Quest 2’s battery usually holds a charge for about 2 to 3 hours, but heavy gaming can shorten this duration. As per Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth’s comments in a Q&A session, we can anticipate a similar battery lifespan for the Quest 3. However, the Quest 3 will have a new Snapdragon chipset that’s designed for better heat management, which could potentially prolong battery life and allow for extended gaming sessions without the concern of overheating.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Games

The Quest 3 is backward-compatible with the entire Quest 2 game library, with over 500 games available. There aren’t any games exclusive to the new headset. Yet, its advanced features might inspire developers to create unique games for it.

For the time being, both the Quest 3 and Quest 2 can run the same games. And Quest 2 users can rest assured that they won’t miss out on performance enhancements too. A recent software update will boost the GPU and CPU processing and create smoother gameplay.

Quest 2 vs Quest 3: Which is better for you?

While the Quest 2 remains a solid choice for a VR headset, the Meta Quest 3 specs offer clear improvements. If you want a VR headset that smoothly merges virtual and real experiences, the Quest 3 is the way to go. This becomes more evident as apps and games embrace its full mixed-reality potential.