Oculus has announced the price and release date for the Oculus Quest 2, the successor to the company's first all-in-one headset released in May of 2019. The new headset boasts an improved design over the original device, along with better resolution and refined controllers. Plus, the newer headset will clock in at a lower price point than the original did by a significant amount.
Releasing on October 13 for a starting price of $299, the new and improved Oculus Quest 2 boasts a resolution of 1832x1920 for each eye, as well as more power over its predecessor, though it's about 10% lighter. Battery life on the device will clock in at around 2-3 hours, and the Oculus Touch controllers have been made more ergonomic, now including a dedicated thumb rest.
As with the original headset, the Oculus Quest 2 can be connected to a PC with a USB-C cable to run Oculus Link, which allows users to play the same games as the standard Oculus Rift devices. Additionally, the device supports hand tracking, which will soon leave beta. The feature allows users to ditch the Touch controllers, though it still has limited support within apps.
The original Oculus Quest regularly sold out, and with a lower price point and improved design, Oculus may repeat history there. Virtual reality devices have become a bit more common of late, being pushed forward by new games like Half-Life Alyx. However, the technology is still fairly early in its lifespan, leaving room for iteration in newer devices.
The sheer number of cables VR devices typically require is a sore point for many consumers, which is what makes self-contained devices — like the Quest — appealing to so many. Coupled with the pandemic, a device that allows users to stay active is appealing to many looking to move around during quarantine.
With the release date just under a month away, fans don't have too long to wait before they can get their hands on the device. There's a good chance that there will be some scarcity, much like the original, sort-of discontinued Oculus Quest experienced, but the launch of next-gen consoles in November may keep some fans from spending money on the Quest 2.
Facebook Accounts are required for Oculus now, which may sour the experience for some. The move was declared an overstep by many fans, with the change proving unpopular with many online. Those with Oculus devices currently can continue to use them without linking a Facebook account for the next few years without service interruptions.
Oculus Quest 2 releases October 13 starting at $299.
Source: Oculus