Meta Quest 2
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| Meta Quest 2 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Standalone VR, PC VR |
| Platform | Meta Quest, SteamVR (via Link/Air Link) |
| Developer | Meta Platforms |
| Manufacturer | Meta Platforms |
| Announcement Date | September 16, 2020 |
| Release Date | October 13, 2020 |
| Price | $299 USD (launch), $249.99 USD (2023) |
| Website | https://www.meta.com/quest/products/quest-2/ |
| Predecessor | Oculus Quest |
| Successor | Meta Quest 3 |
| System | |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 |
| CPU | Octa-core Kryo 585 (1x 2.84 GHz + 3x 2.42 GHz + 4x 1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Memory | 6 GB |
| Display | |
| Display | Single fast-switch LCD |
| Resolution | 1832x1920 per eye (3664x1920 combined) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz, 72 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz (experimental) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 97° |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Fresnel lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 58mm, 63mm, 68mm (3 presets) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out, 4 cameras) |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated speakers, 3D spatial audio, 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, USB-C |
| Device | |
| Weight | 503g |
The Meta Quest 2 (originally Oculus Quest 2) is a standalone VR head-mounted display developed by Meta Platforms, announced on September 16, 2020 and released on October 13, 2020 at $299. The successor to the Oculus Quest, the Quest 2 featured the Snapdragon XR2 processor (2x the power of Quest 1), higher resolution LCD display with 1832x1920 per eye (50% more pixels), reduced weight at 503g, and a groundbreaking $299 price point that made high-quality VR accessible to mainstream consumers. The Quest 2 became the best-selling VR headset of all time, selling over 20 million units and establishing Meta as the dominant force in consumer VR.
History and Development
Facebook unveiled the Oculus Quest 2 on September 16, 2020, positioning it as a more powerful and affordable successor to the original Quest. The headset launched on October 13, 2020 at just $299—$100 less than the original Quest's launch price despite significant hardware improvements. Following Facebook's rebranding to Meta in 2021, the headset was renamed Meta Quest 2 in 2022 as part of the company-wide phase-out of the Oculus brand.[1]
The Quest 2 became the best-selling VR headset in history and was succeeded by the Meta Quest 3 in October 2023.[2]
Design and Hardware
Display
High-resolution fast-switch LCD:
- Single fast-switch LCD panel (split for both eyes)
- 1832x1920 resolution per eye
- 3664x1920 combined resolution
- 50% more pixels than Quest 1
- Full RGB subpixels (vs PenTile OLED on Quest 1)
- Minimal screen door effect
- 60 Hz, 72 Hz, 90 Hz refresh rates
- 120 Hz (experimental, added March 2021)
Optics
- Fresnel lenses
- 3 IPD presets: 58mm, 63mm, 68mm
- Manual lens adjustment
- Large sweet spot
Processing
Snapdragon XR2 platform:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
- Derived from Snapdragon 865
- Octa-core Kryo 585 CPU
- Adreno 650 GPU
- 2x processing power vs Quest 1
- 6 GB RAM (vs 4 GB on Quest 1)
- 128 GB or 256 GB storage
- Android 10 based
Tracking
Inside-out tracking:
- 4 cameras for 6DoF tracking
- 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF)
- No external sensors required
- Room-scale Guardian system
- Improved tracking algorithms
Hand Tracking
- Built-in hand tracking
- Controller-free interaction
- Gesture recognition
- Improved over Quest 1
Build and Comfort
Lighter redesigned form factor:
- 503g weight (vs 571g Quest 1)
- White color scheme
- Soft fabric head strap (included)
- Elite Strap accessory available
- Adjustable fit
- Improved facial interface
Audio
- Integrated positional speakers
- 3D spatial audio
- Near-ear design (not over-ear)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Microphone array
Battery
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- 2-3 hours usage time
- USB-C charging
- Elite Battery Strap accessory available
Controllers
Oculus Touch (Gen 3)
Redesigned Touch controllers:
- Tracking ring (improved)
- Analog sticks
- Triggers and grips
- Face buttons (A/B, X/Y)
- Capacitive touch sensors
- Haptic feedback
- Single AA battery each
- Improved ergonomics
PC VR Capability
Oculus Link
- USB-C wired connection
- Access PC VR games
- SteamVR compatible
- Rift S quality experience
Air Link
- Wireless PC VR streaming
- Wi-Fi 6 recommended
- Low latency
- No cable required
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Fast-switch LCD |
| Resolution | 1832x1920 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 60-120 Hz |
| Field of View | 97° |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB |
| Tracking | 6DoF (4 cameras) |
| Weight | 503g |
| Battery | 2-3 hours |
| Price | $249-$299 |
Reception
Praise:
- $299 price point revolutionary
- Snapdragon XR2 doubles performance
- 50% more pixels than Quest 1
- Minimal screen door effect
- Lighter than Quest 1
- No PC required (standalone)
- PC VR via Link/Air Link
- Large game library
- Hand tracking included
- Best value in VR
- Best-selling VR headset ever
Criticism:
- LCD instead of OLED (worse blacks)
- 3 IPD presets (not continuous)
- Included head strap basic
- Required Facebook/Meta account
- God rays from Fresnel lenses
- Battery life limited
- Elite Strap quality issues[3]
Legacy
The Meta Quest 2 is the best-selling VR headset of all time with over 20 million units sold. It established:
- Sub-$300 as viable VR price point
- Standalone VR as the dominant form factor
- Meta as the leader in consumer VR
- Air Link as standard wireless PCVR feature
- VR as mainstream consumer technology
See Also
References
- ↑ "Quest 2". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_2.
- ↑ "Oculus Quest 2 Specs: Nearly 2K Per Eye 90Hz LCD, XR2 Chip, 3-Step IPD". UploadVR. https://www.uploadvr.com/oculus-quest-2-specs/.
- ↑ "Oculus Quest 2 - Specs, Features, and Games". VRDB. https://vrdb.app/device/oculus-quest-2.
- ↑ "Meta Quest 2". Qualcomm. https://www.qualcomm.com/xr-vr-ar/device-finder/meta-quest-2.