Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: should you upgrade?

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: Which should you buy?

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro. This is the internal struggle VR gaming enthusiasts have been having since Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Meta Quest Pro at Meta Connect 2022.

Furthermore, When The Zucc confirmed that the Meta Quest Pro price would be a staggering $1500/£1500/€1800. A lot of people took to the likes of Twitter and Reddit asking “Is the Meta Quest Pro Worth it?“

• Buy the Meta Quest Pro at Best Buy
• Meta Quest Pro at Amazon
• Meta Quest 2 at Best Buy with free Beat Saber
• Meta Quest 2 at Amazon
• PSVR Iron Man bundle at Best Buy

That response is not unwarranted, however, as the starting price for the Meta Quest Pro is over 3x that of the Meta Quest 2. Seeing as the Meta Quest Pro is actually out now, it’s a perfect time to settle up once and for all.

NOW READ: Vive XR Elite release date

So, Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro, which VR headset is worth your cash?

Let’s take a closer look and find out, as the Meta Quest Pro has only just come out, it’ll probably be improved over the coming months with the inevitable patches and firmware updates. So, if any of those make a large difference, we’ll reflect the changes here.

Additionally, if you’re still torn between ecosystems, we’ve also written a Meta Quest Pro vs PSVR 2 page. This will help you choose between these upcoming VR headsets.

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: the Specs

Meta Quest Pro VR headset

Chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+

Storage

256GB

RAM

12GB

Display resolution

1832 x 1920 per-eye

Battery Life

1-2 hours

Weight

1.59lbs/0.72kg

Shop on Amazon

CHECK PRICE

Meta Quest 2

Chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2

Storage

128GB/256GB

RAM

6GB

Display resolution

1832 x 1920 per-eye

Battery Life

3 hours

Weight

1.1lbs/0.53kg

Shop on Amazon

CHECK PRICE

As mentioned earlier, full specs for the Meta Quest Pro are a bit tricky to decipher, as they are somewhat hidden beneath marketing nonsense on Meta’s Website.

So in the interests of remaining impartial, we’ve only listed the specs that we have for both devices. So, when it comes to Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro, the specs are a great place to begin.

NOW READ: Meta Quest 2 vs PSVR

Honestly, it’s a disappointing showing from Meta with the Quest Pro’s specs as there are only minor hardware improvements over the Quest 2. The most shocking of which is that the Meta Quest Pro has an identical resolution to the Quest 2.

This is particularly disappointing as the Meta Quest 2 was released 2 years ago and costs 3x less than the Meta Quest Pro, so retaining the same resolution seems like a missed opportunity, however, the contrast and other visual aspects aside from the resolution have undergone some upgrades.

For example a 75% improvement in contrast and a 1.3x larger color gamut. Additionally, Meta has outfitted the Quest Pro with quantum dot technology. However, these things are difficult to measure, so we really only have Meta’s word to go on here.

Additionally, the Meta Quest 2 has a better battery life than the Meta Quest, as it’s rated for 3 hours of use, as opposed to the 1-2 hours of the Meta Quest Pro.

An aspect that has seen a significant upgrade is the RAM, with the Meta Quest Pro boasting 12GB, doubling that of the Meta Quest 2, this should result in a way snappier VR gaming experience, with less stuttering and more capabilities to run the new games down the line.

Another weird on is the weight, the Meta Quest Pro weighs more than the Quest 2, with the devices weighing in at 1.59lbs/0.72kg and 1.1lbs/0.53kg, respectively. However, we’ve heard that the Quest Pro has a better balance than the Quest 2.

If you’re after a more comprehensive breakdown, we’ve written a full Meta Quest Pro specs page, where we get into a lot more detail about it all.

So, Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro. Well, the Quest Pro has better specs, but they aren’t the sort of paradigm shift that Mark Zuckerberg seemed like he was hoping for, and improvements still don’t justify the inflated price tag, in our opinion. Speaking of which:

NOW READ: PSVR 2 release date

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: Price

The Meta Quest Pro price sort of overshadowed everything else at Meta Connect: The specs of the device itself, the legless jumping around in the MetaVerse, and even the memes have fallen by the wayside because of the sheer enormity of the price.

The Meta Quest Pro is currently available to pre order from Amazon, Best Buy, and the official Meta website too, and the pricing is, for lack of a better word, wack.

The Meta Quest Pro price is $1500/£1500/€1800. This is amusing, as it makes the 25% price increase of the Meta Quest 2 back in July seem insignificant, despite the negative reaction at the time.

In hindsight, this was a clever move by the folks over at Meta, as the $1500 price of the Meta Quest Pro dwarfs the cost of Meta Quest 2, price increase or not.

So, when we’re talking cash money, the battle of Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro lands firmly in the former’s favor. We don’t just mean it’s more affordable, it’s a value-for-money thing.

The law of diminishing returns has reared its ugly head here. Yes, the Meta Quest Pro is a better VR headset than the Quest 2, but not $1100 better.

NOW READ: PICO 4 VR release date

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: Battery life

Much like the Meta Quest 2, the Meta Quest Pro Is an entirely standalone VR headset. So unlike the PSVR, and Valve Index, it requires no other external hardware to work.

This is fantastic of course as it means that there are no wires getting in the way, allowing you to move around as you wish, totally free to accidentally punch walls, significant others, and pets. Fun for the whole family I’m sure you can imagine.

However, this freedom is a double-edged sword, as it also means that your playtime is limited by the battery capacity of the headset. This then puts the designers of the Meta Quest headsets in a tricky spot.

With most devices, the battery is the heaviest part, which is particularly unfortunate for VR headsets because you have to wear the thing on your head.

Annoyingly, the Meta Quest Pro appears to have the same battery life as the Meta Quest 2. Actually, by some accounts, it’s slightly worse, with the Meta Quest Pro apparently having a 2-hour battery life compared to the Quest 2’s 2-3 hours.

This is pretty disappointing, though it is unsurprising. For years now battery lives have been dropping in favor of faster charging, and the Meta Quest Pro’s base station does use USB Type C, which can charge at 100W. Though fast charging is yet to be confirmed.

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: The controllers

Of course, the headset is vital, however, your other way of interacting with the virtual environment, be it Zucc’s Metaverse, or games like Gorn or Beat Saber, is via the controllers.

So, understandably, and thankfully due to the price, the Meta Quest Pro’s controllers have received a significant upgrade, both in terms of ergonomics and the underlying tech. Are they worthy upgrades? Or do they cower in the shadow of their predecessors?

We’ll start with power as the changes as it’s kind of a catch-22 here. The Meta Quest 2 controllers relied on AA batteries, and the vast majority of people who use these do not buy rechargeable ones, meaning that it’s usually a more wasteful way of powering the controllers.

The Meta Quest Pro controllers have built-in rechargeable batteries, which is a far better solution where waste is concerned, but as we all know, over time batteries transform into spicy pillows.

This unfortunately means that down the line, after the warranty expires, there will be no solution to keeping your Meta Quest Pro controllers going. Sony’s PS3 controllers are particularly notorious for this.

In terms of actual features, the Meta Quest Pro controllers are a strong upgrade. Each controller has 3 sensors in them. This means they no longer need to be tracked by the headset, which eliminates dead zones.

Additionally, the haptic feedback has been enhanced, instead of the standard, somewhat one-dimensional feedback from the singular motor in the Meta Quest 2, we have something far better this time.

It’s worth noting here that the Meta Quest Pro controllers do work with the Meta Quest 2, meaning that if you don’t want to upgrade to the Meta Quest Pro, you might still be able to experience some of the haptic improvements here. However, we aren’t yet sure how much of it will be supported on the older hardware.

The Meta Quest Pro controllers have motors that can deliver more granular feedback to the trigger and the thumb button independently, which was probably inspired by the recent glut of haptic tech we’ve had, ranging from the PS5 DualSense controller to the Razer Kraken V3 Pro Hypersense gaming headset.

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: Gaming

Over the last few days, we’ve gradually learned that the Meta Quest Pro is less about gaming than the community initially thought. A sentiment that was confirmed when rumors of the Meta Quest 3 started to appear.

Additionally, on further study, it’s a bit more obvious that the Meta Quest is more aimed at other VR applications. For example exercise, with some wondering, if it’s even good for gaming at all.

Also, annoyingly, the Meta Quest Pro does not come with a full-on light blocker, which again underscores its emphasis on non-gaming uses as light-bleed can significantly decrease immersion. On the flip side, it can help with the AR aspect, creating a less-isolated environment.

Of course, you don’t need to use the Meta Quest Pro to realize that it’s a very powerful VR headset, whether it be for gaming or other use cases.

So yes, it’s a very good VR gaming headset, however, the big price tag means that it probably won’t be a huge seller, and you might be better off sticking with the Meta Quest 2 and waiting until the eventual Meta Quest 3.

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: Fitness

One of the biggest advantages of the Meta Quest Pro is the newer, slimmer design. Many sources are saying that it’s less than half the size of the Meta Quest 2.

So, even though the overall weight has been actually been increased, the balance has been substantially improved as the bulk of the weight is closer to the user’s head.

However, the increased weight is still a big deal, with some early reviewers reporting that the Meta Quest Pro can quickly become less comfortable, meaning that it might not be as good for exercise as Meta had initially hoped.

Of course, Meta does sell a full light-blocking attachment, but it costs $50, and given the expense of the Quest Pro itself, it really should be included in the price.

The main aspect of the Meta Quest Pro that makes it better for exercise than the Meta Quest Pro is the self-tracking controllers. While we haven’t seen anything confirming or denying it yet, these could be used to better track exercise movements.

Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro: Comfort

A huge concern when designing VR headsets has to be comfort. Where other gaming devices need not worry about ergonomics aside from the controller (The PS4 controller missed this particular memo), VR headsets must have it as a primary focus.

This is where the modern tech of the Meta Quest Pro brings an unintentional side benefit to the comfort aspect. With a 40% slimmer optical stack, the bulk of the headset’s weight is way closer to the user’s head, improving weight distribution.

This means that the increased weight of the Meta Quest Pro over the Meta Quest 2 (1.59lbs/0.72kg and 1.1lbs/0.53kg, respectively) doesn’t have as much of a negative effect as it would otherwise have.

This means that the Meta Quest Pro can get away with having no third strap going over the head, however, with a decreased battery life, you won’t be wearing the thing for any longer than 2 hours, anyway.

Final verdict

So, Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest Pro. Which should you buy? In terms of value for money, we don’t think the Meta Quest Pro is worth the price premium over the Quest 2, despite its objective superiority.

The spec sheet of the Meta Quest Pro is impressive, but not impressive enough to justify the additional cost in our opinion, and the lack of a resolution increase is almost inexcusable.

However, if you’ve got the money, it looks like the Meta Quest Pro is the Best VR gaming headset out there, but most people are going to be sticking with their Quest 2s for the foreseeable future.

This leaves us no choice but to recommend that you go for, or stick with, the Meta Quest 2. When we get around to actually doing a full review of the Meta Quest Pro, this verdict might change, but we’re fairly sure that it won’t.

NOW READ: Best Meta Quest 2 accessories

Meta Quest Pro VR headset

Shop on Amazon

CHECK PRICE

Meta Quest 2

Shop on Amazon

CHECK PRICE

How much does the Meta Quest Pro cost?

The Meta Quest Pro can be bought right now for $1500/£1500/€1800. Or your regional equivalent.

When did the Meta Quest Pro come out?

The Meta Quest Pro was released worldwide  on October 25.

Is the Meta Quest Pro for gaming?

You can certainly play VR titles on the Meta Quest Pro, however, according to Meta’s keynote, it looks like it’s aimed for at professional enterprise and fitness use.

Is the Meta Quest Pro good for fitness?

In terms of hardware, the Meta Quest Pro is great for fitness, but some users have experienced fatigue sooner that they’d like.