Meta Quest 2 (initially sold as Oculus Quest 2) is a
virtual reality (VR) headset developed by
Meta Platforms
Meta Platforms, Inc., (file no. 3835815) trade name, doing business as Meta and formerly named Facebook, Inc., and TheFacebook, Inc., is an American multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. The company owns Facebo ...
(formerly Facebook, Inc.). It was unveiled on September 16, 2020 and released on October 13.
As with its predecessor, the
Oculus Quest
The Oculus Quest is a virtual reality (VR) headset developed by Oculus, a division of Meta, Inc., released on May 21, 2019.
Similar to its predecessor, Oculus Go, it is a standalone device that can run games and software wirelessly under an ...
, the Quest 2 can run as either a standalone headset with an internal,
Android-based operating system, or with
Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is a discontinued line of virtual reality headsets developed and manufactured by Oculus VR, a division of Meta Platforms, released on March 28, 2016.
In 2012 Oculus initiated a Kickstarter campaign to fund the Rift's development, af ...
-compatible VR software running on a
desktop computer
A desktop computer (often abbreviated desktop) is a personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or near a desk due to its size and power requirements. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply ...
. It is a refresh of the original Oculus Quest with a similar design, but with a lighter weight, updated internal specifications, a display with a higher
refresh rate
The refresh rate (or "vertical refresh rate", "vertical scan rate", terminology originating with the cathode ray tubes) is the number of times per second that a raster-based display device displays a new image. This is independent from frame rate ...
and per-eye resolution, and updated
Oculus Touch
Oculus Touch is the motion controller system used by Reality Labs in their Rift CV, Rift S, Quest, and Quest 2 virtual reality systems. Three iterations of the controllers have been developed; the first for use in the original Oculus Rift, wh ...
controllers with improved battery life.
The Quest 2 received mostly positive reviews as an incremental update to the Quest, but some of its changes faced criticism, including its strap, reduced
interpupillary distance
Pupillary distance (PD) or interpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance measured in millimeters between the centers of the pupils of the eyes. This measurement is different from person to person and also depends on whether they are looking at near ...
(IPD) options, and a new requirement for users to log in with a
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin M ...
account to use the headset and Oculus services.
Specifications
Hardware
Its design is similar to the original Oculus Quest, but replacing the black, cloth-covered exterior with white-colored plastic and a black face
pad. It is lighter than the first-generation Quest, at 503 grams (17.7 ounces) in comparison to 571 grams (20.1 ounces).
The strap was changed to a fabric-based version, rather than the elastic-based strap of the Quest.
The Quest 2 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
SoC, a derivative of the Snapdragon 865 designed for VR and
augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be de ...
devices.
It includes 6 GB of
LPDDR4X
Low-Power Double Data Rate (LPDDR), also known as LPDDR SDRAM, is a type of synchronous dynamic random-access memory that consumes less power and is targeted for mobile computers and devices such as mobile phones. Older variants are also known as ...
RAM — an increase of 2 GB over the first-generation model.
The dual
OLED
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED or organic LED), also known as organic electroluminescent (organic EL) diode, is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compound that emits light i ...
displays of the first-generation Quest were replaced by a singular, fast-switch
LCD panel
A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers. Liquid crystals do not emit light directly but i ...
with a per-eye resolution of 1832×1920, and a
refresh rate
The refresh rate (or "vertical refresh rate", "vertical scan rate", terminology originating with the cathode ray tubes) is the number of times per second that a raster-based display device displays a new image. This is independent from frame rate ...
of up to 120 Hz (an increase from 1440×1600 per-eye at 72 Hz). The display uses striped
subpixels rather than a
PenTile matrix PenTile matrix is a family of patented subpixel matrix schemes used in electronic device displays. PenTile is a trademark of Samsung. PenTile matrices are used in AMOLED and LCD displays.
These subpixel layouts are specifically designed to opera ...
; this arrangement improves image clarity by reducing the
screen-door effect
The screen-door effect (SDE) is a visual artifact of displays, where the fine lines separating pixels (or subpixels) become visible in the displayed image. This can be seen in digital projector images and regular displays under magnification or a ...
.
At launch, the display's refresh rate was locked at 72 Hz via software, with 90 Hz mode as an experimental option limited to the home area only. A software update in November 2020 enabled games to run in 90 Hz mode.
In April 2021, an update further added experimental support for 120 Hz mode in games.
The headset supports physical
interpupillary distance
Pupillary distance (PD) or interpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance measured in millimeters between the centers of the pupils of the eyes. This measurement is different from person to person and also depends on whether they are looking at near ...
(IPD) adjustment at 58 mm, 63 mm and 68 mm, adjusted by physically moving the lenses into each position.
Software
The Quest 2 runs an
Android-based operating system. To conduct first-time setup, a
smartphone
A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whic ...
running the Meta Quest app must be used.
An update in February 2021 added support for up to three additional accounts to be logged into a single Quest 2 headset, with the ability for accounts to share purchased software between them.
System software version 28 in April 2021 introduced experimental Air Link wireless streaming.
In July 2021, experimental APIs were added to the Passthrough feature to allow for
augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be de ...
features.
Controllers
The included controllers with the Quest 2 are the third generation
Oculus Touch
Oculus Touch is the motion controller system used by Reality Labs in their Rift CV, Rift S, Quest, and Quest 2 virtual reality systems. Three iterations of the controllers have been developed; the first for use in the original Oculus Rift, wh ...
controllers. The design of the new controllers was influenced by the original Oculus Rift controllers.
Their battery life has also been increased four-fold over the controllers included with the first-generation Quest.
Games
Quest 2 supports all games and software made for the first-generation model, and existing titles can be updated to support higher graphical quality on Quest 2. It also supports Quest Link, which allows the headset to be used with
Oculus Rift
Oculus Rift is a discontinued line of virtual reality headsets developed and manufactured by Oculus VR, a division of Meta Platforms, released on March 28, 2016.
In 2012 Oculus initiated a Kickstarter campaign to fund the Rift's development, af ...
-compatible software on a PC.
It is not backwards compatible with
Oculus Go
The Oculus Go is a standalone virtual reality headset developed by Facebook Technologies in partnership with Qualcomm and Xiaomi. It is in the first generation of Facebook Technologies' virtual reality headsets, and the company's first device in ...
apps and games.
In April 2021, a software update added "Air Link" as an experimental feature, which allows games to be streamed from a PC over Wi-Fi.
Release
Quest 2 was first released in two
SKUs differentiated by storage capacity, with a 64 GB model priced at US$299, and a 256 GB model (replacing the original Quest's 128 GB model) priced at $399. Both are a US$100 decrease over their equivalent SKUs on the first-generation model.
In 2021, the 64 GB model of the Quest 2 was replaced by a 128 GB model at the same price point.
In November 2021, as part of the rebranding of Facebook, Inc. as
Meta
Meta (from the Greek μετά, '' meta'', meaning "after" or "beyond") is a prefix meaning "more comprehensive" or "transcending".
In modern nomenclature, ''meta''- can also serve as a prefix meaning self-referential, as a field of study or ende ...
, the Oculus brand began to be phased out; Oculus Quest 2 was rebranded as "Meta Quest 2" in promotional materials, and Oculus Store was rebranded as "Quest Store" (Oculus-developed community platforms took on the "Horizon" brand). As of March 2022, this change has also taken effect in the Quest system software (which replaced all Oculus logos with that of Meta), and newer production runs of the headset carry the Meta Quest branding on their hardware and packaging as well.
Meta aired a
commercial
Commercial may refer to:
* a dose of advertising conveyed through media (such as - for example - radio or television)
** Radio advertisement
** Television advertisement
* (adjective for:) commerce, a system of voluntary exchange of products and s ...
for the headset, "Old Friends, New Fun", during
Super Bowl LVI
Super Bowl LVI was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2021 season. The National Football Conference (NFC) champion Los Angeles Rams defeated the American Football Conference ...
in February 2022.
In July 2022, citing increased production costs and to "enable us to continue investing in ways that will keep driving this increasingly competitive industry forward for consumers and developers alike", it was announced that the prices of all current Meta Quest 2 SKUs would be increased by US$100 beginning in August 2022. It was concurrently announced that ''
Beat Saber
''Beat Saber'' is a virtual reality rhythm game developed and published by Czech game developer Beat Games. It takes place in a surrealistic neon environment and features the player slicing blocks representing musical beats with a pair of contr ...
'' would also be bundled with the headset through the end of the year as a promotional offer.
Accessories
Facebook presented an "Elite Strap" accessory, which contains a ring-like pad for the back of the head and a tightness dial, along with a variant with a battery pack built into the strap.
Facebook also promoted
Logitech
Logitech International S.A. ( ; often shortened to Logi) is a Swiss multinational manufacturer of computer peripherals and software, with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Newark, California. The company has offices throughout Europe, ...
headphones "certified" for Quest 2, including the G333 VR—the company's first
in-ear headphones—which have shortened cables designed for use with VR headsets.
In addition, Facebook partnered with Logitech to support their K830 keyboard as part of the "Infinite Office" feature, allowing the keyboard to be detected and displayed within a virtual reality environment.
In October 2022, Meta unveiled new Touch Pro controllers for the
Meta Quest Pro
The Meta Quest Pro is a mixed reality (MR) headset developed by Reality Labs, a division of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.).
Unveiled on October 11, 2022, it is a high-end headset designed for mixed reality and virtual reality applica ...
, which will also be available as an optional accessory for existing Quest 2 headsets. These controllers have a more compact design, replace the infrared tracking rings with cameras for on-board inside-out tracking (thus no longer needing to be within the line of sight of the headset's cameras for best performance), and also include a pressure sensor for pinching gestures, and rechargeable batteries.
Reception
''
The Verge
''The Verge'' is an American technology news website operated by Vox Media, publishing news, feature stories, guidebooks, product reviews, consumer electronics news, and podcasts.
The website launched on November 1, 2011, and uses Vox Media' ...
'' was positive in a pre-release review, noting that while it lacked standout features, it did have "worthwhile" improvements such as reduced weight, a screen with a better visual appearance and refresh rate than the original Quest, and a re-located USB port. The new strap was panned for having "less support and a slightly clumsier tightening mechanism" (partly rectified by the Elite Strap accessory sold separately), and the new IPD mechanism was considered "annoying" and not as inclusive as that of the first-generation model. In conclusion, it was argued that while it was not a "must-upgrade" for existing owners, the Quest 2 had "the best overall balance of hardware, features, and price."
''
Ars Technica
''Ars Technica'' is a website covering news and opinions in technology, science, politics, and society, created by Ken Fisher and Jon Stokes in 1998. It publishes news, reviews, and guides on issues such as computer hardware and software, sci ...
'' was less positive, noting that its internal speakers were "noticeably crisper and louder", but panning the new cloth strap in comparison to the original Quest's elastic straps (and arguing that it alone was responsible for the claimed reduction in weight), the limited IPD options, worse battery life, and the controllers having less grip and reduced accuracy on more intensive games. The switch from
OLED
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED or organic LED), also known as organic electroluminescent (organic EL) diode, is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compound that emits light i ...
to LCD was shown to produce "crisper" images but more "washed out" color.
The Elite Strap accessory was met with criticism initially due to issues with the straps breaking randomly. In response, Facebook stated that the issue was a "processing inconsistency" affecting only a few units, and sales of the strap were paused temporarily before going on sale again. Other issues, such as loose screws in the strap were also reported.
Sales
In November 2021, Qualcomm stated that at least 10 million Quest 2 headsets had been shipped worldwide. In late-December 2021, the Oculus app (which is required to complete first-time setup)
became the most popular app on the
iOS App Store
The App Store is an app store platform, developed and maintained by Apple Inc., for mobile apps on its iOS and iPadOS operating systems. The store allows users to browse and download approved apps developed within Apple's iOS Software Deve ...
and
Google Play Store
Google Play, also known as the Google Play Store and formerly the Android Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android operating sys ...
in the United States for the first time—implying that Quest headsets had been heavily purchased as
Christmas
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by country, around t ...
gifts during the
holiday shopping season
The Christmas season or the festive season (also known in some countries as the holiday season or the holidays) is an annually recurring period recognized in many Western and other countries that is generally considered to run from late November ...
.
Facebook integration
The Quest 2 has faced criticism over the
mandate that users must log in with a
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin M ...
account in order to use the Quest 2 and any future Oculus products, including
the amount of user data that could be collected by the company via virtual reality hardware and interactions, such as the user's surroundings, motions and actions, and biometrics.
It was reported that some users were unable to use the headset due to their Facebook account being suspended. Some described that linking their deactivated Facebook account to the device
rendered the headset a "paperweight". In September 2020, Facebook suspended the sale of all Oculus products in
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
after it faced criticism from the German
Federal Cartel Office
The Federal Cartel Office (, ; BKartA) is Germany's national competition regulatory agency. First established in 1958, BKartA comes under the authority of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The agency is headquartered ...
over the requirement. At the Facebook Connect event in 2021,
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg (; born ) is an American business magnate, internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is known for co-founding the social media website Facebook and its parent company Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.), o ...
stated that the company was "working on making it so you can log in into Quest with an account other than your personal Facebook account".
Meta later announced in July 2022 that it would establish a new "Meta account" platform, which will not be explicitly tied to the Facebook social network, and that users who transition to Meta account would be allowed to decouple their Facebook logins from its VR platforms. However, ''Ars Technica'' noted that the new terms of service and privacy policies associated with the new Meta account system could still allow enforcement of a real name policy (stating that users would be obligated to provide "accurate and up to date information (including registration information), which may include providing personal data", and still allowed for "rampant" use of user data by Meta.
Face pad recall
In December 2020, Facebook stated that it was investigating reports of users experiencing rashes and other skin irritation from the Quest 2's foam face pad. In April 2021, Facebook stated that it had identified and reduced the use of "a few trace substances that are normally present in the manufacturing process which could contribute to skin discomfort", but that they "did not find any contamination or unexpected substances in our manufacturing process." On July 27, 2021, Facebook announced that it had issued a
recall
Recall may refer to:
* Recall (bugle call), a signal to stop
* Recall (information retrieval), a statistical measure
* ''ReCALL'' (journal), an academic journal about computer-assisted language learning
* Recall (memory)
* ''Recall'' (Overwatch ...
of the face pads in Canada and the United States, would issue free
silicone
A silicone or polysiloxane is a polymer made up of siloxane (−R2Si−O−SiR2−, where R = organic group). They are typically colorless oils or rubber-like substances. Silicones are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, cooking ...
covers to existing users, and would temporarily suspend global sales of the Quest 2 in order to allow these covers to be included with all future shipments of the headset.
References
External links
*
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Meta Quest
Products introduced in 2020
Virtual reality headsets
Wearable devices
Metaverse