Meta Quest 2 vs. Pico Neo 3 Link

The most popular VR headset in recent years has been the Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as Oculus Quest 2). The Quest 2 is a standalone all-in-one headset, meaning that the VR headset can be used entirely without a PC and cables. For many people, this made the Quest 2 the ideal starting VR headset. However, the reason the Quest 2 proved so popular was also because there was little to no competition in the same prijs-range segment. With the release of the Pico Neo 3 Link, that has changed.

The Meta Quest 2 and Pico Neo 3 Link use the same processor, have the same resolution and type of display, and both feature 4 built-in tracking cameras. Yet, there are also some differences. Below, we've listed the specifications of the most well-known standalone VR headsets (Meta Quest 2, Pico Neo 3 Link, and the HTC VIVE Focus 3).

• Resolution per eye: 1832 x 1920 LCD
• Refresh rate: 60 Hz to 120 Hz
• Processor: Snapdragon XR2
• RAM: 6 GB
• Number of tracking cameras: 4
• Hand tracking: Yes
• Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB
• Weight: 503 grams (without head strap)

• Resolution per eye: 1832 x 1920 LCD
• Refresh rate: 90 Hz
• Processor: Snapdragon XR2
• RAM: 6 GB
• Number of tracking cameras: 4
• Hand tracking: No
• Storage: 256GB
• Weight: 620 grams (with head strap + battery)

• Resolution per eye: 2448 x 2448 LCD
• Refresh rate: 90 Hz
• Processor: Snapdragon XR2
• RAM: 8 GB
• Number of tracking cameras: 4
• Hand tracking: Yes
• Storage: 128GB + MicroSD
• Weight: 785 grams (with head strap + battery)

Based on the specifications, several differences between the VR headsets can already be identified. Below you will find all the differences explained.

The first noticeable difference between the Quest 2 and Pico Neo 3 Link is the fact that the Quest 2 is available in both 128GB and 256GB variants. The Pico Neo 3 Link is only available with 256GB storage. The choice of how much storage you need depends on how you intend to use the headset. For users who just want to play a game every now and then, 128GB will be more than sufficient. However, if you want to watch various films on the VR headset, or you have an extensive collection of VR games that you want to switch between, then 256GB is recommended. It is generally also advisable for business users to opt for more storage. It's not possible to expand the storage of your VR headset, so once the 128GB is full, you will need to delete certain applications or games to free up space.

Anyone who has tried a VR headset knows how important the weight of the headset is. Especially when playing for extended periods, you don't want a heavy headset on your head. The Quest 2 is the lightest headset currently available. With a weight of only 503 grams, the Quest 2 is very comfortable on the head. It is worth mentioning that the Quest 2 comes with an elastic band as standard. While this band is very lightweight, the comfort leaves much to be desired. The Pico Neo 3 Link comes standard with a sturdier head strap and a battery on the back. Not only does the sturdier head strap feel like a more premium product, but due to the additional weight of the battery at the back, the overall weight of the VR headset is better distributed over the head. Fortunately, Quest 2 does offer the option to replace the elastic band with the Oculus Elite Strap with battery.

The refresh rate of the Pico Neo 3 Link screen is 90 Hz, meaning 90 frames per second are displayed. Quest 2 offers five choices for refresh rates: 60 Hz, 72 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz. In the Quest Store and App Lab, 60 Hz is only allowed for 360-degree video, not for apps, virtual environments, or games. The 120 Hz mode is not feasible for most games, as each frame has only 8 milliseconds to render. However, some titles do use it to provide extra responsiveness and lower latency than possible on the Neo 3 Link (e.g., Eleven Table Tennis).

Both the Quest 2 and Pico Neo 3 Link are wireless headsets with their own game-bibliotheek. However, it is still possible to connect the VR headsets to a PC, for instance, when you want to play a specific PC VR game. By connecting the headset to a computer, you can start games from Steam. With both headsets, you can wirelessly connect to a PC via a wireless WiFi-verbinding connection, but this has the disadvantage that the connection is not always stable, and the bandwidth can leave something to be desired. This is particularly noticeable in lower image resolution and higher latency (delay in the image).

Therefore, it is also possible to connect to the PC via a cable with both headsets. The Quest 2 can be connected to a PC via a USB-C to USB-A Oculus Link cable to a PC. This cable needs to be purchased separately. The Neo 3 Link includes a 5-metre DisplayPort cable. The advantage of this DisplayPort cable is that streaming occurs at a higher quality. Therefore, the image resolution will be better with the DisplayPort cable than with the USB-kabel.

Both headsets come with similar controllers featuring a thumbstick. There is not much difference in the controllers, except that the controllers of the Neo 3 Link are slightly longer than those of the Quest 2. This makes them more comfortable to hold for users with large hands. However, there is a difference in the hand-tracking options of the headsets. For example, the Quest 2 offers the possibility to enable hand-tracking in developer mode. This allows you to operate the game or application without controllers. Note that, at present, this only works with a small selection of applications. Still, for developers who aim to provide users with the most realistic experience possible, the built-in hand-tracking offers a great solution. The Pico Neo 3 Link does not have this capability.

Both headsets are very similar in specifications. In practice, you won't notice many differences. However, there are reasons why you might prefer one headset over the other.

You should choose the Meta Quest 2 if you:

• Consider a broad game-bibliotheek important.
• Want to use hand tracking.
• Want to adjust the refresh rate per application.
• Want many accessories for the headset (such as controller grips, elite straps, stickers, etc.).
   

You should choose the Pico Neo 3 Link if you:

• Want a better connection to your PC/Steam.
• Do not want to incur additional costs for an extra elite head strap.

Have you become enthusiastic after reading this blog and would like to get started with VR? Then buy the Quest 2 directly from Unbound XR! We always have the best deals and prices. And order a handy accessory right away to get started with the VR headset immediately.