The Meta Quest 2 VR, previously known as Oculus Quest 2, is a standout virtual reality headset designed to bring imagination to reality with its top-notch technology.
With the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset, you feel more like a first-person character in the game than just a controller or player behind the gamepad.
The Meta Quest 2 128 GB virtual reality headset has been a popular choice for many users until the release of the 256 GB model.
The Meta Quest 2 256 GB virtual reality headset, as its specification implies, offers more storage than the Meta Quest 2 128 GB. Technically, it is twice the storage size of the Meta Quest 2 128 GB. But aside from the obvious difference in storage capacities, are there other significant differences between both models?
Design and Display
The Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset has a sleek design that players find appealing. It comes in a generic white colour and with a head adjustment strap made from fabric that runs from the left to right side and front to the rear side of the headset. The head strap can be used to adjust the firmness of the headset on the player’s head.
On the left side of the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset is the USB Type-C charging port. On the right side are the power button and the indicator, and beneath the headset are the volume (up and down) buttons.
It also comes with a sweat guard and glass spacer (can only be used by those that make use of recommended glasses); if you do not make use of glasses, you do not need to apply the glass spacer.
The Meta Quest 2 headset also has a 3.5 mm audio jack that allows for external audio output, should you want to share the sound with someone close to your location. It also comes with two display lenses (one for each eye) and an LCD screen right behind the lens. The display lens has a viewing resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye and is covered with disposable dustproof nylon.
The interpupillary distance (IPD) for the Meta Quest 2 ranges from 2.3 to 2.7″ (58 to 68 mm). The interpupillary distance spans from the centre of the pupil of one eye to the centre of the pupil of the other eye. It also has a refresh rate of 90Hz.
The design and display of the Meta Quest 2 128 GB and 256 GB are exactly the same.
Dimension and Weight
Both the 128 GB and 256 GB versions of the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset are small and light, measuring 191.5 mm x 102 mm x 142.5 mm. The strap is adjustable to fit comfortably on a range of head sizes and measures 295.5 mm when fully unfolded.
This headset is lightweight enough to ease head strain, especially when worn for prolonged periods of time, weighing only 503g (17.7oz). The head strap, which helps distribute the headset’s weight evenly for a more comfortable and immersive VR experience, also helps with this.
Battery Life and Charging
It might be a little disappointing that the controller for the Oculus Quest 2 (128 GB and 256 GB) only has one AA battery. However, the battery is rechargeable and can last for up to 10 hours, depending on usage.
The headset has a built-in 3640mAh battery that gives you about 2.5 hours of full charge and can last for up to 2-3 hours of usage time. It also supports 10W (5V at 2A) charging. During gameplay, the battery can last for approximately 2 hours, while video playback can extend up to 3 hours.
Performance
The Meta Quest 2 (128 GB and 256 GB) virtual reality headset runs on the back of a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (7 nm) chipset, an Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 585, 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 585) CPU, and an Adreno 650 GPU. The use of the Qualcomm processor on this headset is proof of its speed and optimum clarity in its display. This high-quality processor runs on the Android 10 OS.
For games that are built with high graphics quality, the Qualcomm processor is capable of ensuring there are no glitches while loading or interacting with the game. You can be assured of up to 2 hours of game time with the quality of the Qualcomm processor and octa-core CPU used on the
Meta Quest 2. Games like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip can run smoothly on this Qualcomm chip with crystal visuals.
Storage Capacity
The Meta Quest 2 has two options for storage capacity to choose from:
- 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal memory.
- 6 GB RAM and 256 GB internal memory.
The Meta Quest 2 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory has system apps and other gaming software pre-installed on it before purchase. The games installed on the headset are supported by Meta for virtual reality. They consume about 12 GB of storage space, leaving you with 116 GB to fill up with games of your choice. This takes less time to fill up, with some games taking about 8.8 GB (Resident Evil VR) to 11 GB (Contractors) of storage space, and it has no expandable memory.
The Meta Quest 2, with 6 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory, also has system apps and other gaming software preinstalled on it, including demos. On purchase, you have a percentage of the storage already used up to store games for you to start with. To fill the 256 GB storage space, you will need to download very high graphics games that are large, say 44 GB or more, and as many as possible.
Connectivity
The Meta Quest 2 (128 GB and 256 GB) virtual headsets can work both as standalone headsets and virtual reality headsets. It does not require a TV set or PC for you to use them. You can connect it to your smartphone with the Quest 2 app, as well as Bluetooth devices with its Bluetooth 5.0, and the USB Type-C port. The Meta Quest 2 can also be accessed via Wi-Fi.
Pricing
This VR headset is available in two different variants, and as such, the storage capacity is a determinant of its price. While the 128 GB variant retails at $349, the 256 GB can be purchased at a starting price of $429.
Key Differences between the Meta Quest 2 128 GB and the Meta Quest 2 256 GB
The significant differences between the Meta Quest 2 128 GB headset and the Meta Quest 2 256 GB headset are very few.
- Storage Capacity: The RAM of the Quest 2 is the same (6 GB), but the internal memories are different (128 GB and 256 GB).
- Pricing: The Meta Quest 2 128 GB virtual reality can be purchased at a starting price of $349, while the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality can be purchased at a starting price of $429.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Meta Quest 2 256 GB has double the storage capacity of the Quest 2 128 GB, making it an ideal choice for those who require more memory space for their VR experiences. With a starting price of $429, the Meta Quest 2 256 GB provides great value for its money. While the features of both the Meta Quest 2 (128 GB and 256 GB) are largely the same, the major differences lie in the storage capacity and prices.