Meta Quest 2 vs HTC Vive Pro 2: Which is better?
If you're keen to dive into the world of VR, here's what you need to know about the Meta Quest 2 vs the HTC Vive Pro 2.
Virtual reality is a concept that has fascinated humanity for a long time, and it's now more advanced and more accessible than ever.
Among all other VR headsets, 2 stand alone. The Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as Oculus Quest 2) is widely considered the benchmark product in the space, delivering impressive experiences at an affordable price. Meanwhile, the ultra-premium HTC Vive Pro 2 offers far more intensive VR functionality, but is all that technical wizardry worth the price tag?
Let's find out. Here's everything you need to consider to decide if the Meta Quest 2 or HTC Vive Pro 2 is right for you. For more information, take a look at our guide to the 9 best VR headsets in Australia.
Display and performance
As you might expect given its inflated price tag and more recent release, the HTC Vive Pro 2 outpaces the Meta Quest 2 in a number of ways. The HTC Vive Pro 2 offers a combined 4896x2448 resolution, compared to the 3664x1920 resolution of the Meta Quest 2.
The Meta Quest 2 functions with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor and 6GB of RAM. The HTC Vive Pro 2 has no internal processing power, and instead must be linked up to a VR-ready gaming PC.
Depending on your personal situation, this is either a blessing or a curse. If you own a gaming PC that laughs in the face of the Meta Quest 2's processing power, you'll relish the chance to make even greater use of your computer. If you don't have a beast of a PC ready to go, picking up the HTC Vive Pro 2 alongside a new computer that can make full use of its power is simply not an efficient use of your money.
You can wirelessly tether the Vive Pro 2 to your PC with the Vive Wireless Adaptor. Get it for $999 on Amazon.
Both the Quest and the Vive Pro 2 have a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, while the Vive Pro 2 has an extra 20° FOV. The Vive Pro 2 also outstrips the Quest in terms of motion tracking thanks to its excellent application of Steam VR Tracking.
Battery life isn't an issue for the Vive Pro 2 as it simply runs off the power of the connected PC. That means you're only at the mercy of the 6-hour battery life of the controllers. The Quest 2, meanwhile has 2-3 hours of battery life.
All in all, the differences between the 2 in terms of raw specs might not sound like much. But it all adds up to give the Vive Pro 2 a pretty significant edge. Heightened resolution, additional FOV and of course as much processing power as your PC can provide make it the superior offering in terms of raw performance.
Functionality and accessibility
It's important to understand that the HTC Vive Pro 2 and Meta Quest are aiming to fulfil very different functions.
Accessibility is the name of the game for the Meta Quest 2. After all, it's a core component of the Metaverse, an innovation that Meta (formerly known as Facebook) believes will reshape society as we know it.
For that reason, it's designed the Quest to be inviting to as many customers as possible. In fact, as of next month, Meta has even removed the controversial requirement to log in to the Meta Quest 2 with a Facebook account.
The Quest is still the headset of choice for many VR gamers, with plenty of games and software available on the Quest Store. The HTC Vive Pro 2 is designed for a premium gaming experience, with access to the Steam VR and VIVEPORT stores. That means games like Skyrim VR and Half-Life: Alyx are readily available to play.
You can access the Steam VR Store and it's high-powered games on the Meta Quest 2 as well, but you'll need to link it up to an appropriate PC, just like you would the HTC Vive Pro 2. However, this is not as smooth an experience on the Quest 2, and takes away from its all-in-one delight.
Since it's widely considered the most elite VR headset on the market, the HTC Vive Pro 2 also has plenty of applications outside of gaming. Want to produce highly-detailed presentations or add VR experiences to your business? You'd be well-advised to look into the Vive Pro 2.
Headset design
The Vive Pro 2 goes beyond the Quest 2 in terms of ergonomics. You can adjust the hard plastic strap of the Vive Pro 2 with a built-in crank. Meanwhile, the Quest 2 uses a velcro strap, which some customers have complained doesn't always offer a great fit.
Both headsets feature built-in microphones and headphones, with the Vive Pro 2 boasting Hi-Res certification. The Quest 2 has 3 settings for interpupilary distance (IPD) – 58mm, 63mm and 68mm. This setting changes the gap between the lenses to your preference.
Meanwhile, the Vive Pro 2 allows for IPD adjustment from 57-72mm, enabling greater user customisation. Between IPD, ergonomics and audio, the more premium Vive Pro 2 easily wins this round.
Price
Courtesy of a recent price hike, you can grab the Meta Quest 2 128GB version on Amazon for $629.99 ($789.99 for the 256GB edition). It's a steep cost for a VR experience, but it's got nothing on the Vive Pro 2.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 full system set will set you back $2,199 from the HTC Vive website. That includes the motion controllers and Steam VR base stations, which naturally are mandatory for operation.
If you don't already have an excellent gaming rig, you'll need to factor that cost in as well. HTC's recommended minimum PC specs are as follows:
- Intel i5-4950 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500 CPU
- 8GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 GPU
The verdict
If the price of the HTC Vive Pro 2 makes you cringe, that's a good sign it probably isn't for you. It's designed for VR fanatics or those who want to make use of VR's professional capabilities. And rich people.
For the everyday consumer, the Meta Quest 2 will do just fine, offering an affordable and accessible all-in-one VR experience.
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