For most companies, the first step in a VR investment is choosing the right virtual reality headset. The good news is the rapid digital transformation of the modern world means we have a lot more headsets to choose from today – and many of them are becoming increasingly affordable.
On the other hand, a wider variety of options means choosing between multiple vendors is growing increasingly complicated. If you’re just making the initial steps into an extended reality strategy, it may be difficult to determine which solution is best for you.
Today, we’re looking at two of the market leaders from the virtual reality landscape, the Oculus Quest 2 from Meta and Oculus, and the HTC VIVE Pro.
Let’s explore how the two compare when it comes to features and functionality.
HTC VIVE Pro Features
The HTC VIVE pro is a high-resolution virtual reality headset, custom-made for the business landscape. Unlike other VR vendors focused mainly on the consumer market, HTC VIVE devices have always focused on providing more “enterprise-ready” technology for the new age of work.
The HTV VIVE Pro is one of the most powerful immersive headsets on the market, with access to SteamVR base stations for content, and a phenomenal set of AMOLED screens.
The Pro also comes with features like spatial audio and optimised ergonomics, to make life in virtual reality more comfortable during long-term wear.
Features include:
- Ergonomic design with IPD adjustment
- Optimised centre of gravity for headset weight management
- Intel WiGig performance
- Adjustable head strap with foam padding
- 10x10m of tracking space
- High resolution spatial audio
- 2880 x 1600 AMOLED screens
- Sub-millimetre precise tracking
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- Wireless design for easier movability
- Removeable headphones
- 110-degree viewing angle
- Around 4 hours of battery life
- 360-degree headset and controller tracking
Compared to previous HTC VIVE headsets, the Pro also comes with a 24% increase in surface coverage, to help reduce the strain on various points of your head.
There’s also no need for any wired connections, though you will need the SteamVR 2.0 base stations to access content through VIVE.
Oculus Quest 2 Features
For many VR fans, the Oculus Quest 2 represents the current golden standard in affordable, accessible headset technology. Offering an exceptional image quality and fantastic performance for a surprisingly low price, Oculus Quest 2 headsets form Meta give any company access to VR. There’s also a comprehensive software environment available through Meta, to make accessing content easy.
The Oculus Quest 2 is intended as an all-inclusive VR headset, suitable for both consumers and business users alike. Though it doesn’t have quite the same level of power or performance as the HTC VIVE Pro, it offers more than enough functionality for many beginners.
The Oculus also benefits from being wonderfully easy to use if you’re not used to VR headsets.
Features include:
- 6GB of advanced processing power
- Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor
- Convenient, easy-to-use set-up, with Guardian technology
- 1832 x 1920 resolution per eye
- Comprehensive hand tracking in content
- Headset casting for non-VR users
- Instant connectivity to Facebook accounts and the Oculus store
- LCD display with adjustable IPD range
- Ergonomic high-comfort design
- Intuitive safety system
- Custom-made Quest partner solutions
- 3D cinematic sound
- 2-3 hours of battery life
The Oculus Quest 2 is a simple, accessible, and affordable tool for VR access in today’s digital world.
Compared to the previous Oculus Quest, this device comes with more pixels per inch, greater ergonomic comfort, and a more powerful processor, for better content speeds. You also get a decent battery life of around 2-3 hours, though the device won’t last quite as long as the HTC Vive.
Oculus Quest 2 vs HTC Vive Pro: Which is Best?
As with most business investments, your choice of the perfect VR headset will depend heavily on your situation. The Oculus Quest 2 and HTC VIVE Pro both have a lot to offer, but they seem to target different audiences, with a different focus on certain priorities.
With the Oculus Quest 2, you’re getting a device designed to allow any one into the previously inaccessible world of virtual reality. The Oculus 2 is a solution for companies who couldn’t afford more high-priced and enterprise-ready solutions for virtual reality, but still want to access high-quality performance. Though the Quest 2 isn’t nearly as advanced as the HTC VIVE Pro, it’s packed full of features, and the visuals are fantastic.
At the same time, the Oculus 2 is wonderfully easy to use. There’s very little confusion involved in getting your headset setup, and you can have people diving into VR worlds in no time. Plus, you get all the content in the Oculus environment too.
The HTC VIVE Pro is still relatively easy to use, but instead of focusing on affordability and simplicity, HTC wants to ensure its tools are enterprise-ready. This means spending extra time and money on creating high-quality tools with sensational image resolution and exceptional performance.
Though the HTC VIVE Pro is a little more expensive than the Oculus Quest 2, it offers a much higher resolution, and stronger performance as a result. You also get the added benefit of a longer battery life, although this doesn’t guarantee a better experience for every user.
Which VR Solution Should You Choose?
The Oculus Quest 2 and HTC VIVE Pro both offer sensational functionality to companies in search of an easy-to-use, and feature-rich approach to virtual reality.
Both tools will immerse you in high-quality graphics and fantastic spatial sound. Both are also excellent at providing quality motion tracking performance too.
For beginners with a limited budget and a focus on simplicity, the Oculus Quest 2 is likely to be the most appealing solution, thanks to its ease of use and small price tag.
Alternatively, the HTC VIVE Pro offers a more professional and enterprise-focused experience for those with a little more cash available.
