The Meta Quest 2, formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, has been one of the most popular virtual reality (VR) headsets since its launch in 2020. With the recent release of the Meta Quest 3, some people are wondering if the Quest 2 is still a worthwhile purchase in 2024.
In this blog post, we will explore the key factors to consider when deciding if the Meta Quest 2 is still worth buying.
The Meta Quest 2 made quite a splash when it first arrived on the scene. Priced at just $299, the Quest 2 delivered a compelling standalone VR experience without the need for an expensive gaming PC or wires. Its refined design, sharp visuals, and large content library made it a hit with both VR newcomers and enthusiasts.
Now, with the next-gen Meta Quest 3 starting at $399, the Quest 2 faces some new competition. The Quest 3 brings upgrades like improved lenses, a faster processor, better battery life, and face/eye tracking.
However, the Quest 2 still remains a very capable headset in 2024 that can deliver an immersive VR experience at a more affordable price point. As we’ll explore in this post, it continues to be a compelling option, depending on your needs and budget.
Quest 2’s strengths in 2024
The Meta Quest 2 retains a number of strengths that still make it an appealing VR headset purchase even after the Quest 3’s launch:
Affordable price
The Quest 2 starts at just $299 for the 128GB model. That’s $100 cheaper than the starting price of the Meta Quest 3. For budget-conscious shoppers or those new to VR, the Quest 2 remains the most affordable way to enjoy immersive VR gaming and experiences.
Great VR performance
While the Quest 3 offers some hardware improvements, the Quest 2’s specs and performance still hold up respectably. It uses the same VR platform, supports the same games and apps as the Quest 3, and offers a very solid standalone VR experience.
Large content library
With the Quest 2 being Meta’s main VR headset for over two years, it has amassed a large content library with over 300 games and apps. Popular titles like Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4, and Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners are available.
Comfortable design
Weighing just over 1 pound, the Quest 2 is lightweight and comfortable to wear. Its redesigned strap distributes the weight nicely and makes it easy to adjust the fit.
Long-term support
Meta has stated they will continue supporting the Quest 2 with updates and new features for the foreseeable future, even after the Quest 3’s launch. This ensures the Quest 2 won’t be obsolete anytime soon.
What the Quest 3 improves
The Meta Quest 3 does bring meaningful upgrades in a few key areas:
- Visuals – The Quest 3 features higher resolution displays, an expanded colour range, and pancake lenses for a clearer and more vibrant visual experience.
- Processing power – Its new Snapdragon XR2+ chip delivers 50% more processing power, enabling better graphics and physics.
- Battery life – Battery life is extended on the Quest 3, delivering 1-2 hours of extra playtime per charge.
- Passthrough AR – The Quest 3’s full-colour passthrough AR provides a much more realistic view of your surroundings when activated.
- Eye tracking & face tracking – These new features enable more social presence and could pave the way for foveated rendering.
So, the Quest 3 certainly brings some attractive upgrades to the table. But are they worth an extra $100-200 for the average user? Let’s dig deeper.
Quest 2 vs 3 comparison
Here is a quick specs comparison between the Meta Quest 2 vs the Meta Quest 3:
As we can see, the Quest 3 brings key improvements to resolution, processing power, RAM, battery life, and storage capacity options. The downsides are its higher price tag and heavier weight.
Ultimately, it’s up to each user to decide if those upgrades warrant spending an extra $100-300 on the new model.
Is the Quest 2 still worth buying?
Whether or not the Meta Quest 2 is still worth purchasing over the Quest 3 depends on a few factors:
Your budget
If you’re on a tight budget, the $299 Quest 2 gives you plenty of bang for your buck. Its hardware still delivers solid VR gaming and experiences for the price. Saving $100 upfront can be worthwhile if cost is your main concern.
Your PC VR plans
The Quest 2 can connect to a gaming PC to play more visually demanding VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx. If you plan to use your headset primarily for PC VR gaming, the Quest 2 is likely the better value choice.
Your interest in new features
If you really want those upgraded displays, passthrough AR, and eye tracking offered by the Quest 3, it may be worth spending extra to get the latest features. For VR enthusiasts who want the best tech, the Quest 3 has appeal.
Your expectations for visuals
The Quest 3 objectively offers better visual fidelity in VR. But the Quest 2’s visuals are still quite good, with a high pixel density. If you mainly care about immersive VR on a budget, save with the Quest 2.
The verdict
The Meta Quest 2 continues to be a compelling VR headset option at its new reduced price point after the Quest 3’s launch.
It still delivers an excellent standalone VR experience and access to a large content library – all for $100-200 less than the Quest 3. If your budget is limited or you’re new to VR, the Quest 2 remains a smart buy.
However, the Quest 3 does provide noticeably upgraded visuals, performance, battery life and exciting new capabilities like face/eye tracking. For enthusiasts who want the latest and greatest in VR, it brings some appreciated improvements.
So, in summary – yes, the Meta Quest 2 still seems very much worth it for a lot of users in 2024. But the Quest 3 offers compelling upgrades for those willing and able to spend more to get them. Carefully weigh the pros and cons against your own needs and budget to decide which Meta headset is the better fit.
Whichever you choose, both deliver impressive and immersive VR worlds to explore right from your living room. It’s an exciting time for virtual reality and a great time to dive in with Meta’s headsets leading the way into the future.
