What is new about the Oculus Quest 2 controllers?

The controllers of Oculus Quest 2 have received an upgrade. But what exactly is new? And are they actually better than the Quest 1 controllers? In this blog, you will read about the differences between the Quest 1 and Quest 2 variants.

Over the past few years, Oculus has learned a lot about (whether or not haptic) VR controllers. Therefore, the third generation Oculus Touch-controllers for the Oculus Quest 2 are better than ever, with a more comfortable grip, greater distance between the front buttons, and redesigned grip and trigger buttons that are easier to use. If you have used both the first and second generation Oculus Touch-controllers, you will immediately recognise that these new third generation Oculus Touch-controllers look like a hybrid between the two older generations.

The front buttons and the joystick at the top now feature more padding around each button, including a new dedicated thumb rest for those games where you don't need to press buttons often. Have you ever accidentally pressed the home button while playing Beat Saber? Then you are certainly not alone! This new thumb rest should help users avoid that in most cases.

Moreover, the grips are slightly larger and feature a stronger battery compartment that does not slide off as easily as before. Have you ever played the Oculus Quest or Oculus Rift S and had the battery compartment slide off immediately? That should not happen as often (or at all) with these new controllers. Some users say that the new larger grips do not fit smaller hands, so keep in mind that this could be a comfort issue for some people.

The Oculus Quest 2-controllers still use a single AA-batterij to power them. Although that seems a bit odd in 2020, Facebook has at least managed to extend the battery life of each controller, making those AA's last a bit longer, especially if you use rechargeable ones.

Last but certainly not least, is the introduction of more advanced haptic motors inside. Although there are few details about the use of these haptic motors, the Oculus Quest 2 controllers certainly feel more realistic. Improved haptics mean a more realistic form of feedback that can simulate real-world scenarios, such as the difference between tapping a wall with your finger and clashing two swords together. Better haptics in controllers is also a nice development for the future, as this is a step forward in making VR even more realistic!