Meta Quest 2 vs. Quest 3: Game-Changing Differences You Need to Know
Do you even need a Quest 3? $500 versus $199—a brand new VR headset versus a now nearly four-year-old headset. Today, I’m going to speedrun which headset you should buy if you don’t have either, or if you’re still on a Quest 1 or 2, deciding whether or not to jump to a Quest 3 with the Quest 3 Lite now on the horizon. And obviously, should you even consider a Quest 2 now that the Quest 1 is officially losing all support? I mean, Meta isn’t even allowing new apps to be listed on the Quest 1 store after the end of this month. This will be the final ultimate comparison between these two legendary headsets before everything changes with the release of the Quest 3 Lite. I’m going to be comparing both headsets against each other by their actual real-world use.
Specs..
Before diving into the details, it’s crucial to compare the specifications of these two headsets. It’s pretty clear which one will come out on top in this category. The competition isn’t exactly balanced. Here are the specs for both devices:
- Quest 2: 1832×1920 resolution per eye, up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Quest 3: 2064×2208 resolution per eye with 90Hz refresh rate
- Quest 2: Snapdragon XR2 processor
- Quest 3: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Quest 2: 128GB or 256GB storage
- Quest 3: 128GB or 512GB storage
- Quest 2: 6GB RAM
- Quest 3: 8GB RAM
- Quest 2: 2-3 hours of battery life
- Quest 3: 2-3 hours of battery life
There’s no need to spend too much time on this. The Quest 3 outshines the Quest 2 in terms of specs simply because it’s a newer model. This isn’t to downplay the Quest 2, which was an excellent untethered VR headset at its release and remains a solid option today. However, the Quest 3 offers better screen resolution, a more powerful processor, increased storage, and more memory.
I also wish it had longer battery life, but you can’t always get everything you want.
Visuals
Most of you already know this: does it actually matter all that much when so many games are optimized to make the most out of the Quest 2 and are restrained by the Quest 2’s hardware to begin with? Despite all of these upgrades—the Quest 3’s resolution, specs, color accuracy, lenses, field of view, and improved hardware—how much of that actually matters when most games are designed to capitalize on the Quest 2 user market? At the end of the day, there’s basically not a single game on the Quest store that makes full 100% use of the Quest 3’s capability. Currently, Asgard’s Wrath 2, which just released, and Assassin’s Creed Nexus, which just released, are two new major AAA VR games that both have to run on the Quest 2.
Yes, like many games now, there are Quest 3-specific updates and visual improvements, but in terms of the actual fundamentals—the levels, the content, the scale, basically anything that’s not visual—all of that is handicapped by having to run on Quest 2 hardware. For example, if you’re a Gorilla Tag player, the experience between the Quest 2 and the Quest 3 is very, very similar. Yes, it’s smoother on the Quest 3, yes, it’s slightly better looking, and you have a wider field of vision, which is awesome, but it’s still very much the same experience. This is why the Quest 2 looks like it’s about to be replaced with the Quest 3 Lite, as that will utilize the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip as the Quest 3, meaning it will act as a cheaper alternative to the Quest 3 without hindering the scale of games on that headset.
So, what does the Quest 3 actually matter in day-to-day use? To be clear, the better lenses are much better—there’s far less glare, and coupled with a higher resolution, it is a significantly clearer headset to play through. Coupled with the much more vibrant and accurate colors, the deeper black levels—everything visually looks so much better, even in games that haven’t received Quest 3-specific updates yet. So, on that alone, if you’re not just exclusively a Gorilla Tag player profusely dumping sweat onto your lenses and can barely see to begin with, if you’re playing immersive VR experiences—especially if you’re playing via a Link cable for PC VR experiences—the Quest 3 will capitalize on that the most by a significant degree. But if you’re currently content with the Quest 2’s visuals and don’t actually care that much about immersive experiences…
Performance.
If you’re a Quest 2 owner, you’ve likely experienced some frustrations with its user interface (UI). The lag when navigating in and out of games can be exasperating, with delays sometimes causing the screen to freeze for a few seconds. This makes accessing the menu during a game a risky move, often resulting in more frustration than convenience. As a result, many users might be hesitant to return to the Quest 2 for gaming, finding the experience more torturous than enjoyable.
In contrast, the Quest 3 offers a significantly improved UI performance. Loading times are faster, and you can invite friends, access the store, or visit social hubs without compromising the entire headset’s performance. This smoother experience is a major upgrade from the Quest 2, making the Quest 3 a more attractive option for both new and existing VR enthusiasts.
However, the Quest 2’s performance issues aren’t just due to software. The hardware limitations of the Quest 2, coupled with Meta’s focus on advancing the Quest 3, mean that updates for the older headset are becoming less frequent and significant. While the Quest 2 isn’t completely obsolete, it’s clear that it’s nearing the end of its lifecycle, reflected in its discounted price. If you’re dissatisfied with the Quest 2 now, it’s unlikely that your opinion will change in the coming year as its performance and update frequency continue to decline.
Controllers
The controllers for Meta Quest 3 outshine those of the Quest 2, benefiting from newer and slightly more advanced technology.
Meta redesigned the Touch controllers for Quest 3, moving away from the previous design with a ring around the thumb area. The new design is more open and airy while maintaining the familiar shape and button layout. One significant addition is haptic feedback, enhancing immersion when performing actions like pulling back the drawstring of a bow.
Despite these improvements, both controllers offer equally responsive motion tracking and button inputs, ensuring smooth gameplay on either device. Quest 3 edges ahead slightly, but the difference is minimal.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the Quest 2 falls short compared to its successor.
Meta’s focus with the Quest 3 was to enhance comfort, putting the older Quest 2 at a clear disadvantage. The Quest 3 introduces a new strap system that improves the headset’s fit on your head and is noticeably slimmer than the Quest 2. Although there’s a slight weight difference (515g for Quest 3 and 503g for Quest 2), it’s negligible.
Having worn both headsets, the comfort difference is stark: the Quest 3 is significantly more comfortable than the Quest 2.
Quest 3 Is Better.
Content
Currently, both headsets are largely similar in functionality, aside from some visual disparities and exclusive mixed reality content available only on Quest 3, like First Encounter. However, the question remains: how long will this equivalence last? Like with the original Quest, the future may see certain apps being delisted from Quest 2’s store over time. The ultimate decider, in my opinion, when choosing between these two headsets, will likely hinge on how well Quest 3 and Quest 3 Light perform in the coming years.
Conclusion
The comparison between Meta Quest 3 and Quest 2 highlights several significant factors that can influence your VR headset choice. The Quest 3 undoubtedly excels in terms of hardware specifications, offering superior resolution, a more powerful processor, increased storage options, and improved UI performance over the Quest 2. These enhancements translate to a clearer visual experience, smoother operation, and potentially longer-term usability as VR technology advances.