What Is the Newest Oculus VR Headset Out Now?

Virtual Reality (VR) is evolving the way we view the world, and Meta is one of its primary drivers. So, if you like to stay up to date with the latest in the VR world, the newest VR headset should top the list.

You’ve come to the right place if you want to know which Oculus VR headset is the newest in town. Read on to find out more about the hottest VR headset.

What Is the Newest Oculus VR Headset Out Now?

Oculus Quest 2 is the newest Oculus VR headset out now. As far as the name goes, it’s an improvement on its predecessor, the Oculus Quest. It’s a stand-alone headset that doesn’t require a PC, mobile phone, or other external devices to function. Here are some of its notable highlights and features:

What’s in the Box

When you open the Oculus Quest 2 box, you’ll find the headset, two controllers with a battery, a power cord, and a silicon cover for each one. There are also a few other accessories included.

The headset is made from light and comfortable materials, and it’s adjustable for a perfect fit. The controllers are sleek and pleasant to hold and use, with buttons and a touchpad. The power cord is long enough to reach any outlet. Additionally, the headset has a built-in speaker so that you can listen to music or watch videos without using headphones.

The Wireless Experience

Unlike its predecessor, the Quest 2 is entirely wireless. This perhaps is one of its best features, allowing you to immerse into a vast VR world beyond the constraints of a wired distance. However, the headset comes with an optional cable that you can use if you need that PC or console experience, giving you a taste of both worlds.

The Battery Life

Oculus Quest 2 is wireless, so you don’t need to tether it to use it, but you may be concerned about battery life.

First, this VR headset uses Lithium-Ion – the same batteries used in smartphones and laptops. According to Meta, the battery in the Quest 2 can last up to 3 hours of uninterrupted play. However, this duration vastly depends on how you use the device. Expect a much lower battery life if you’re into the fastest and most graphic-heavy games.

Unfortunately, the Oculus Quest 2 doesn’t have the optimal battery life, and there is massive room for improvement.

Internal Storage

Unlike its predecessor, the Quest 2 comes with 128 GB of internal storage to store your favorite games and apps. You can go for the upgraded model that offers 256 GB if you need more storage. However, you’ll have to pay around $100 more (as of this writing) than the 128 GB base model. With such scaling on the storage, users will enjoy way shorter loading times and speed.

If you’re wondering how much storage you’ll need for your games and apps, the answer depends on a few factors. Some games have more storage requirements than others, but you can check the size of the games you like to determine which model is the perfect fit for you.

The Resolution

Resolution is everything when hunting for the perfect graphic experience, and Meta knows that best. The improved Quest 2 features a resolution of 1,832 × 1,920 per eye, providing you with more detailed scenes than most VR headsets on the market.

Controllers

There have been minor tweaks in the controllers’ design, enabling a more comfortable and perfect grip. However, the touchpad and buttons remain unchanged from those featured on the Oculus Quest.

These controllers include long-lasting batteries that can run for months, and they come with a handy strap. Be sure to use them during the play sessions. You don’t want to place your controllers on a virtual table only to find them shattered on the floor when you get back to the real world.

Design and Size

The Oculus Quest 2 has a compact design and weighs in at just 17.7 pounds. It measures 4.0 x 7.5 x 5.6 inches and can easily be stuffed into the backpack and taken wherever you go. Moreover, the headset comes in a sleek white plastic casing. Although the case is pleasing to the eye, it may be fragile to falls, so be careful.

The headset also comes with a strap to help hold the headset in place while in use. But honestly, the strap could use a little improvement. It fits slightly baggy, making the headset a little shaky. In response, Meta has released an alternative strap called the Quest 2 Elite Strap to enhance support and comfort while using the headset.

Processing Speed

Unlike the Oculus Quest, which featured Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835, the Quest 2 runs on the Snapdragon XR 2 processor. The latter offers a significant boost in performance, especially for graphic-heavy games. The processor provides higher refresh rates of up to 90 Hz.

The Price Tag

Now let us talk about the cost. The Quest 2 retails for $299, way below the original Oculus Quest, which was going for $399. While this number is not exactly “cheap,” it’s a great value and an unforgettable experience. Plus, considering that the headset is stand-alone and comes with more storage than its predecessor, it’s a deal worth considering.

Accessories

Accessories are like the icing on a cake, making your VR experience better. As it is, there are countless accessories that you can pair with a Quest 2, but this article will feature the most beneficial one: the Elite Battery Strap.

You can use this strap to charge your headset and, of course, as a “strap” but a more comfortable one than the one that comes with your VR headset. It also has a carry case that you can use to travel with your headset.

Unfortunately, this accessory is quite pricey and is considered one of the most expensive on the market, but it certainly offers excellent value worth the investment.

The Hand Tracking Feature

The Hand Tracking is yet another solid feature of the Quest 2, eliminating the need for controllers in many situations. Instead, you can control the headset with your bare hands. Simple gestures like pinching or pinching and holding can serve as commands such as clicks, drags, etc.

However, Hand Tracking is a relatively new technology and has not been perfected yet. For that reason, it doesn’t replace the controllers entirely.

Beyond Fan and Games

VR is not just about games. You can use the headset to hang out with virtual friends, go out for a virtual 3D movie or even attend work meetings with your colleagues.

Here are some other interesting things you can do with your Quest 2:

• Painting
• Touring the world through the
• Exercising
• Watch TV

The Major Downside of the Quest 2

To use Quest 2, you need to have a Facebook account. While it’s not the worst requirement, Meta has a track record of misusing user data for targeted advertisements. As such, some users might be skeptical about linking their accounts to a device that has cameras and tracks even the slightest human movements at all times. In its defense, the company claimed that the tie to the social account is to achieve the same experience for all users.

However, at the 2021 Connect, Mark Zuckerberg stated that a Facebook account wouldn’t be a requirement for using the VR headset anymore. He also added that users who already own the headset would – at their will – have their accounts unlinked from the device without affecting their content and purchases. Unfortunately, these are just tentative announcements that have not taken effect yet. But many are hoping to see them put in place sometime this year.

Additional FAQs

Is the storage in the Quest 2 expandable?

Unfortunately, you can’t expand the internal storage of the Quest 2. Instead, you might go for the upgraded model that offers 256 GB if you need more storage.

Games Roll Better With the Latest Oculus VR Headset

The Quest 2 is undoubtedly making the dream of Virtual Reality a reality. It provides a much more immersive experience with higher refresh rates, resolutions, and processing power, just to name a few. However, the VR dream is not without some nightmares like the abysmally short battery life and the slight motion sickness that some users experience. But let’s just say it, we’re still in the earliest stages of the technology, and these are just the stepping stones.

Have you tried out the Quest 2 yet? How was the experience? Please let us know in the comments section below.