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How Does the Meta Quest Pro Stack Up Against Other Headsets?

March 24, 2023 • Zachary Amos

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Virtual reality (VR) has gained a lot of traction in a relatively short time. While accessible, consumer-focused VR has only been around for a few years, you have a wide array of makes and models to choose from today. One of the latest and most noteworthy of these is the Meta Quest Pro.

The Quest Pro, the latest of Meta’s many metaverse projects, dropped on October 25, 2022, with a whopping price tag of $1,500. You get a lot of cutting-edge tech for that money, but how does it compare to the cheaper Quest 2 and other VR headsets? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.

What’s New in the Meta Quest Pro?

Meta has hailed the Quest Pro as a sort of stepping stone to the future of the metaverse. As you might expect in light of such a bold claim, there’s a lot that separates the Quest Pro from Meta’s older headsets.

At the heart of the new Quest is a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Plus processor. According to Qualcomm, that delivers 50% more power and 30% better thermal performance than the old chip. The headset also uses new “pancake” optics, which, as you might guess from the name, offer more performance in a thinner package.

Perhaps most impressive is the new eye and face-tracking technology in the headset. Various sensors throughout the device let it tell where you’re looking and what face you’re making. That translates into your virtual avatar making the same expressions you do and more visual clarity where it matters for your in-app experience.

The Quest Pro also features a different design than the Quest 2. The headset is sleeker and places the battery at the back of the head with an adjustable plastic ring instead of the Quest 2’s cloth straps. While the controller design is mostly the same, they feature improved haptics similar to the Switch’s HD Rumble and built-in finger-tracking sensors.

Meta Quest Pro vs. Meta Quest 2

So, how does all this tech stack up against Meta’s previous VR headset? As you may expect, it runs quite a bit better. The updated controllers make moving and acting in the metaverse a more natural experience, and the new processor provides smoother visuals. You’ll also notice more vibrant colors and better rendering, thanks to the upgraded optics.

The redesigned headband is another nice upgrade. While the headset can still feel bulky, especially after extended use, it’s easier to adjust than the Quest 2 and feels more balanced. Many users also report the audio and light-blocking of the Quest Pro are improved over its predecessor.

While those are some impressive upgrades, the price is still steep. You could buy three Quest 2s for the same money as the Pro. With a price difference that dramatic, it’s difficult to justify the Pro, especially considering how few apps capitalize on its most impressive features right now. While the Quest 2 may not be as technologically advanced, it’s by no means outdated and is a steal by comparison.

Quest Pro vs. Other VR Headsets

The Meta Quest Pro’s hardware specs outshine current VR headsets from other manufacturers, too. However, like with the Quest 2, these upgrades may not be big enough to justify the price jump.

If you want a high-end, visually impressive VR headset, the HTC Vive Elite has a high resolution and improved ergonomics for a still steep but more affordable $899. To be fair to the Quest Pro, it’s technically cheaper if you factor in the cost of a gaming PC, which the Quest doesn’t need. However, if you already have a solid computer, something like the Vive may be the way to go.

Similarly, the Vibe Index offers a high-end VR experience for less money and a larger library of games and apps. The HP Reverb may not have the Quest Pro’s eye-tracking technology and thinner lenses, but it has a higher resolution and larger field of view (FOV).

The Final Verdict

Overall, the Meta Quest Pro is an impressive piece of technology, but not impressive enough to justify its price for most users. If you’re a big VR enthusiast and are excited about the next steps of the metaverse, it may be the headset you’re looking for. If you’re more of a casual VR user, you’ll probably be happier with a cheaper but still reliable older headset.

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