The Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2 are two of the most popular virtual reality (VR) headsets on the market. Both headsets offer a great VR experience, but what are some key differences between the two?
For starters, the Quest Pro is Meta’s latest VR headset. It features a more powerful processor, a better display, and more advanced tracking sensors than the Quest 2. It also comes with a new set of controllers that offer more features.
The Quest 2, on the other hand, is Meta’s older VR headset, but it’s still a great option. It’s more affordable than the Quest Pro and has a large library of games and apps.
So, the question remains: which headset should you go for? Well, it depends on your needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible VR experience, the Quest Pro is the way to go. But if you’re on a tighter budget, Quest 2 is still a great option.
In the meantime, let’s compare Quest Pro and Quest 2 side by side (Meta Quest Pro vs Quest 2) to help you make a more informed decision.
Meta Quest Pro vs Quest 2 At a Glance
| Meta Quest 2 | Meta Quest Pro | |
| Display | LCD | QLED |
| Resolution | 1832×1920 | 1832×1920 |
| IPD Adjustment | 3 pre-sets (58, 64, and 66 mm) | 55-75mm increments |
| Refresh rate | 72-90 Hz | 72-90 Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 1 |
| Memory and storage | 6GB RAM and 128-256GB | 12GB RAM and up to 256GB storage |
| Sensors | Gyroscope, accelerometer, and proximity sensor | Ambient light sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, gyrometer, barometer, and magnetometer |
| Cameras | Four cameras for controller and headset tracking | 5 cameras for room-scale, 2 cameras for face tracking, 3 cameras per controller for self-tracking, and 3 cameras for eye tracking |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack, integrated stereo speakers, microphone, and spatial audio | Spatial audio, dual 3.5mm jacks, integrated stereo speakers, and a microphone |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and USB Type C Gen 1 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB Type C gen 2 |
| Face/eye/hand tracking | Hand tracking | Face, eye, and hand tracking |
Meta Quest Pro vs Quest 2: Design
The first area where the Quest Pro proves its worth is its design improvements. That’s not to say the Oculus Quest 2’s design is bad, but it has flaws compared to Meta’s newer headset.
To begin, the Quest 2 is very front-heavy; all of the components are stored in the large box that covers your eyes, and the strap is adequate but does not adequately counterbalance the weight. The Meta Quest Pro addresses this issue by replacing the elastic strap with a padded plastic one, which secures the headset to your head more securely, and moving the battery from the front of the headset to the back (placing it in the strap).
Because of this design, the Quest Pro distributes its weight more evenly across your head, making it feel lighter and more comfortable than the Quest 2 despite weighing more. The Oculus Quest 2 weighs 503g, while the Meta Quest Pro weighs 722g.
The Quest Pro’s controllers are another improvement. Not only are the handsets rechargeable, which means you no longer need to keep AA batteries on hand for your VR headset, but they’re also better at tracking. That’s because, unlike the Quest 2 controllers, which use a tracking ring that the headset’s cameras follow to determine where your hands are, the
Quest Pro controllers have their own built-in cameras and tracking capabilities. This means the tracking is more accurate, the Quest Pro can still tell where your hands are when they’re out of sight, and you’re less likely to accidentally bump one controller into the other when your hands are close together. The controllers on the Quest Pro are also much more premium and less plasticky.
Unfortunately, the Quest Pro’s one design change might not be well-liked by everyone. Unlike Quest 2, which creates a seal around your eyes, Quest Pro leaves a gap that allows you to always see the real world.
Meta Quest Pro vs. Quest 2: Display Quality
According to a number of specifications, the Meta Quest Pro’s display quality is much better than the Quest 2’s. The Quest Pro’s display employs local dimming to provide 75% more contrast than the Quest 2. Meta’s business-focused headset also has a higher resolution screen with 37% more pixels, as well as a larger sweet spot of maximum clarity thanks to the new pancake lenses. This is critical if you need to do internet research, edit documents, or write code. Text is a significant challenge in VR headsets, which is typically addressed by using a larger, bolder font. That isn’t ideal when reading a document or inspecting code for errors.
The Meta Quest Pro has 37% more pixels per inch than the older Quest 2, which, despite its age, is still surprisingly sharp. When it comes to VR headsets, pixels aren’t the only thing to consider because the lenses that allow you to focus closely also play a role in sharpness.
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The Quest Pro has pancake lenses, which are much thinner and increase the amount of screen that remains sharp. The lenses on the Quest 2 aren’t bad, but the Quest Pro’s are more advanced. The Meta Quest Pro also has a more vibrant display with a 30% wider color gamut and 75% higher contrast, thanks to local dimming.
A great visual experience is essential for any VR headset, and the Quest Pro has several advantages over the Quest 2. However, the Quest 2’s display is still perfect for most games, and as the original, lower-resolution Quest approaches obsolescence, more developers are optimizing for the Quest 2’s sharper screen.
While the Quest Pro will improve the appearance of all apps, game developers will likely continue to target the lower-cost and more widely available Quest 2 with their graphics until Meta releases another low-cost system, most likely the Quest 3. That means the Quest 2 is still a good buy, even though the Quest Pro has a much better display.
Meta Quest Pro vs Quest 2: Battery Life
In that regard, the Oculus Quest 2 has the longer battery life of the two Meta VR headsets. It has an average charge time of two to three hours, whereas the Quest Pro only has one and a half to two hours between charges. If you buy the optional elite strap with battery add-on for the Quest 2, which upgrades the strap to look more like the Quest Pro’s, you can get another hour or so of charge out of the device.
Most people, according to Meta, don’t need a headset that can last for hours and hours, but if you’re looking for a VR device that will serve you well for longer play sessions without requiring you to be tethered to a power source, the Quest 2 is what you need.
Meta Quest Pro and Quest 2: Performance
Given that the Quest 2 is two years old, it’s obvious that the Quest Pro has a newer processor with improved performance and graphics capabilities. The Quest Pro, according to Meta, is 50% faster than the Quest 2, thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon XR+ chip. This is crucial because multiple tabs and apps must be open simultaneously when using a VR headset for productivity.
The Quest 2 feels surprisingly fast for an old headset, which is possible because games take up the entire screen, allowing other apps and many system processes to be paused. A Quest 2 with full processor access can handle advanced gaming while maintaining high frame rates and no user input lag. Both Meta and Quest game developers deserve kudos for bringing AAA titles to the aging Quest 2.
If you intend to use your VR headset primarily for gaming and do not anticipate a high demand for productivity and expressive avatars, the Quest 2 may be all you need. The Quest Pro is undoubtedly more advanced, but aside from the improved display quality and comfort, most games will likely perform similarly on a Quest 2 because they were optimized for either the original Quest or Quest 2. This could change over time, but it’s unlikely to happen until Quest 3 is released.
Meta Quest Pro vs. Quest 2: Comfort
The comfort of the Quest Pro appears to vary from person to person. According to research, Quest Pro is one of the best, with good usability for business use. Some users disagree, claiming it becomes painful after an hour or two. This is true for any VR headset, but improved comfort is one of Meta’s premium headset’s selling points.
The battery is placed at the back of the Quest Pro, offsetting the weight of the front visor, making it more balanced than the Quest 2. Meta claims that if you want to use VR for several hours without taking a break, the Quest Pro is much more comfortable than the Quest 2, which has over a pound of weight resting on your face.
That means that if you wear a Quest Pro, you’ll be less likely to get VR face, the sometimes painful red imprints left on your cheeks and forehead after wearing the Quest 2 for an extended period of time. The experience varies, and some people have no trouble using a VR headset, so this may not be an issue for you. Weight has an effect on long-term comfort and may help prevent neck strain, so the Quest Pro’s improved head strap and weight distribution are a worthwhile upgrade.
Meta Quest Pro vs. Quest 2: Features
The Quest Pro does everything the Quest 2 does, and then some. Given the $600 price difference, this comes as no surprise. The Quest Pro has several features unique to Meta’s professional VR headset that help it stand out from the Quest 2 and other low-cost headsets. The Quest Pro, in particular, has a high-resolution, color-passthrough camera with four times the resolution of the Quest 2.
#1. Mixed Reality
Meta’s mixed-reality feature is now in a much more usable form. You can easily and fearlessly walk around a room while wearing the Quest Pro headset. The Quest 2’s low-resolution, black-and-white passthrough aids in avoiding collisions with large objects, but it is far from ideal. In addition to seeing your physical environment while wearing the Quest Pro, the headset can overlay 3D graphics to enable high-fidelity AR experiences.
#2. Face Tracking
Face-tracking is also included in the Quest Pro, so your avatar can match your actual expression in virtual team meetings or when hanging out with friends. Nonverbal communication is crucial and has been largely absent in VR chats unless extra effort is made to compensate for avatars’ mostly frozen expressions.
#3. Eye Tracking
Eye tracking serves several functions. In addition to making your avatar more lifelike and allowing others to see where you’re looking, the Quest Pro may be able to use your gaze as input in the future. Although Meta has not yet implemented this capability, Sony’s PlayStation VR2 headset includes menu selection by gaze.
#4. Controller Tracking
The Quest Pro Touch Controllers have better tracking, so you’ll never lose sight of them in the headset, even if you’re holding them behind your back. The Quest 2 relied on the headset’s controller tracking, so you had to keep your hands in view of the cameras. Furthermore, the Quest Pro Touch Controllers also include a built-in stylus tip, allowing you to write or paint on a whiteboard by inverting the controller and drawing with the end.
Other minor features, such as the included charging dock, contribute to the Quest Pro being a more complete solution that allows you to quickly switch between an immersive VR environment and your actual surroundings or linger in a mixed reality view that combines the best of both.
Meta Quest Pro vs. Quest 2: Games
Both the Quest Pro and Quest 2 have nearly identical game libraries. Despite some improved features and tracking, the Quest Pro is no better for gaming than its smaller sibling.
In this case, we can’t say which one is superior in this regard. Not only can the Quest 2 use the new Quest Pro controllers, but there isn’t much of a performance difference.
The Snapdragon XR2+ is superior, but the performance boost is not as dramatic as you might expect. What it has done is given Meta the ability to bring much more to professional applications and mixed reality, but in terms of gaming, the two Quest headsets sit alongside each other.
However, as previously stated, the pancake lenses make all the difference in terms of comfort. However, both headsets will be able to use passthrough via PC.
Conclusion
The Meta Quest Pro is the clear winner in terms of raw performance, comfort, and feature set. However, with subpar battery life and a high price tag, as well as some of its features feeling underutilized, you may feel it doesn’t provide the best bang for your buck.
The Oculus Quest 2 is far more affordable, and while it lacks the Pro’s upgrades, it’s still a very good VR headset. It’s more affordable, and if you can’t afford the Pro, you shouldn’t be disappointed by the Quest 2.
Alternatively, you could choose neither and wait for the Oculus Quest 3, which, according to Meta, will be released later this year.
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