Meta Quest 2 Vs Meta Quest 3 [Before You Buy Guide]

Meta Quest 3 Vs Meta Quest 2 Review

What’s the difference between the Meta Quest 2 Vs. the Meta Quest 3? As an owner of the Meta Quest 2, I wanted to find out. 

Will it be worth upgrading to the Meta Quest 3 on release? Will it have better Games? Better Resolution? 

Let’s see…

In this post, I’ll pit the two standalone VR headsets against each other to find out what the key differences are.

Table of Contents

  1. What is a Meta Quest Anyway?
  2. Specs and Resolution
  3. Design and Form Factor
  4. Better VR Games on the Meta Quest 3
  5. Meta Quest 3 Release Date and Price
  6. My Final Thoughts…

This post is based on my personal experience at the date of publication. It may contain speculation, personal opinion, and human error. Please confirm in-store for current information. Consult the User Manual for your device before using VR. This post is not advice.

What is a Meta Quest Anyway?

The Meta Quest 3 with cameras and controllers
Front view of the Meta Quest 3 – (Credit: Meta)

The Meta Quest is a standalone virtual reality headset developed by Meta (formerly known as Facebook) that allows you to dive into an immersive digital world.

Be it gaming, media, or even social networking, you can do it all.

Imagine fighting off zombies, or going on an adventurous quest, or sitting on a beach listening to waves crashing off the shore.

It’s also got built-in sensors to track your movement and Controllers for your hands.

And the best part? You don’t need to connect it to a computer, meaning you’re not tethered by cables, thus giving you full freedom of movement.

First came the Meta (aka Oculus) Quest 1, then the Quest 2, then the Quest Pro, and now coming soon, we’ll have the Quest 3; the latest and greatest version of the Meta Quest VR headset.

Here’s a video showing what it looks like inside of a Meta Quest headset (footage of Golf+ on my Quest 2):

Meta Quest 2 Vs Meta Quest 3: Specs (Higher Resolution)

The Meta Quest 3 is a highly anticipated next-generation standalone VR headset, poised to offer significant improvements over its predecessor, the Quest 2.

According to Meta, the Quest 3 will deliver enhanced immersion aided by the “next-gen” Snapdragon chipset.

They say that the new Snapdragon chipset will deliver twice the graphical performance of the Snapdragon that’s inside the Quest 2.

It’s reasonable to expect that with superior resolution, crisp details, and vivid graphics, it’ll be able to create a more realistic virtual environment and an all-around better experience.

In fact, Meta hails the Quest 3 as their “Most Powerful Headset Yet”. [Facebook]

It will also utilise Meta Reality (Mixed Reality), letting you merge the real physical world with a virtual one.

-Meaning, you’ll be able to play games in the virtual world while still being able to see your living room.

Meta Quest 2 Vs Meta Quest 3 Snapdragon Graphical Performance
Screenshot of the Snapdragon Chip in the Meta Quest 3 from the promotional video – (Credit: Meta)

Here’s a table showing the Meta Quest 2 Vs. the Meta Quest 3 based on Meta’s announcements and internet speculation:

HeadsetResolutionProcessorStorage SizeBattery LifeWeightPrice
Meta Quest 21832x1920 per eye, 92-degree field of viewQualcomm Snapdragon® XR2 processor128GB or 256GB2-3 Hour battery life503g in weight$299 or $349.99
Meta Quest 32064x2208 per eye – 30% higher resolution than the Quest 2Qualcomm Snapdragon® XR2 Gen 2 processor – twice the GPU processing power
128GB or 512GB2.2 Hour battery life515g in weight$499 or $649.99
OldCynic.com – Meta Quest 2 Vs. Meta Quest 3 Headset Comparison Table With Eye Resolution *Please independently confirm data & prices

These improvements should establish the Meta Quest 3 as a powerhouse VR device, better than the Quest 2 in almost every way.

Meta Quest 2 Vs Quest 3: Design and Form Factor

Just by looking at the new Meta Quest 3, it’s easy to see that it looks a lot more comfortable than the Quest 2.

And according to Meta, the Quest 3 is designed for comfort and control.

The Meta Quest 3 Vs Meta Quest 2 Side by Side
The Meta Quest 2 and the Meta Quest 3 Side by Side – (Credit: Meta)

Meta also says that the Meta Quest 3 has a 40% slimmer optic profile compared to the Quest 2.

The Touch Plus Controllers are more streamlined and ergonomic, but there will also be hand tracking out of the box, which will let you interact with virtual objects without the need for Controllers at all.

Meta Quest 2 Vs Meta Quest 3 Side by Side
The Meta Quest 2 and the Meta Quest 3 Side by Side – (Credit: Meta)

The Meta Quest 3 is designed to fit all head sizes and will have adjustable straps and padding.

In my view, the exterior looks impressive; I like the sleek finish and minimalist, modern aesthetic.

Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3: New VR Games?

This is an important topic for me; Games! 

What games will the Meta Quest 3 have?

Sure, there’ll be cutting-edge technology, unparalleled immersive possibilities, and vibrant graphics. But what are we gonna be playing?

Meta Quest 3 Vs Meta Quest 2 Game Images
Ghostbusters Screenshot from Meta Quest 3 promotional video – (Credit: Meta)

As a long-term user of the Quest 2, honestly, it’s disappointing that there haven’t been more high-calibre games.

-And it doesn’t help that I’ve never really gotten over VR Nausea because that has narrowed my options.

I hope to see some amazing titles lined up and released on the Meta Quest 3.

Games that utilise advances in AI alongside the Meta Quest 3’s potential, to really push the boundaries of VR.

Meta Quest 2 Vs Meta Quest 3 500 VR Games
“500+ games” Screenshot from Meta Quest 3 promotional video – (Credit: Meta)

According to Meta, the Quest 3 will be backwards compatible with the Quest 2, and will be able to play its catalogue of over 500 VR games.

There are also a number of “AAA” games on the horizon.

To keep up to date with new Meta Quest games, you can check out Meta’s official YouTube channel, here. [YouTube]

Meta Quest 3 Release Date (Coming Soon!) & Price

It is anticipated that the Meta Quest 3 will be released on the 10th of October 2023.

As for the price, Meta’s website [Meta] states that the Meta Quest 3 will start from $499.99 US or £479.99 UK.

Space Home Environment in the Meta Oculus Quest 2
View of my Home Environment inside the Meta Quest 2

Meta Quest 2 Vs New Meta Quest 3: Final Thoughts…

I hope to revisit and update this post when the Meta Quest 3 is finally released.

I also hope the Quest 3 is launched with some decent titles because, at that price point, it’s gonna take something special to encourage me to upgrade my Meta Quest 2.

What are your thoughts on the Meta Quest 3? Are you planning to upgrade?

Or are you waiting to purchase your first Quest?

Let me know in the comments below.

For more Meta Quest guides and reviews, check out this section of my blog.

Keep Reading? More Meta Quest:

Meta Quest 2 Review
Quest 2 Questions and Answers
Golf+ Meta Quest 2 Review
The Thrill of the Fight Review

Copyright: oldcynic.com (some images and all text unless otherwise stated)
Meta Quest is owned by Facebook (Meta)
Images sourced from Meta
Images used for news, instruction, and review

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4 Comments

  1. I have just sold my Meta Quest II. It is easier to sell it before for a good price before the release of nr. 3. I also had the first Oculus Quest, so I have been with all versions so far, can’t wait to test and play with the new version.

    I think the only addition I would do (If I was Meta), add more headset colors for fun 😉

    1. Good point, colours would be an easy win. I still haven’t decided but you’re probably right about getting a better price now.

      I do wonder how many new games and apps will be exclusive to the Quest 3 and how many will work on both…

      Thanks for sharing!

  2. I mostly use my Meta Quest 2 for watching movies or You Tube. I sometimes play Tetris. I’m on a limited income now I have retired so it would have to be special for me to upgrade. I have also bought prescription lenses and adjustable head gear – so I wonder if these would fit the new headset. I would really like to be able to try it out before I bought.

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