Oculus Quest 2 vs. Pico Neo 2

Looking back over the past few years, PC VR glasses, such as HTC Vive (Pro) and Oculus Rift (S), have dominated the VR landscape. However, there seems to be a shift in this preference. More and more users are looking for the convenience of a standalone VR headset. After all, with a standalone headset, you no longer need an external PC or external sensors. You simply put on the VR headset and can get started in the virtual world immediately.

At the end of 2018, the first 6 DOF consumer standalone headset was announced: the Oculus Quest. This headset turned out to be a huge hit and gave virtual reality a significant boost. A second version of this VR headset has now been developed; Oculus Quest 2.

However, there are currently more VR glasses vying to become the best "6 DOF standalone headset". The Pico Neo 2 (and Pico Neo 2 Eye) is also available. This VR headset cannot be sold to consumers, but it is specifically aimed at the business market. In this blog, we will therefore focus on the differences between the Oculus Quest 2 and the Pico Neo 2 headset.

• Screen Type: LCD
• Resolution: 1832 x 1920 per eye
• Refresh Rate: 72 Hz
• Processor: Snapdragon XR2
• Field of View: 100°
• Weight: 503 grams
• Platform: Oculus Store
• Streaming: via Oculus Link cable with PC
• Conditions: mandatory login with Facebook account

• Screen Type: AMOLED
• Resolution: 1920 x 2160 per eye
• Refresh Rate: 75 Hz
• Processor: Snapdragon 845
• Field of View: 101°
• Weight: 350 grams
• Platform: Pico Store
• Streaming: Wi-Fi streaming with PC
• Conditions: no sales to consumers

The first thing you notice when you put on the Pico Neo 2 for the first time is the improved comfort. The Oculus Quest 2 has (like the Oculus Go) an elastic band that holds the headset in place. The Pico Neo 2 comes standard with a sturdy halo-strap and a turning knob so you can adjust the headset exactly to your size. Additionally, the battery of the Pico Neo 2 is built into the halo-strap, evenly distributing the total weight and making the headset comfortable to wear (even for extended periods). With the Oculus Quest 2, it is also possible to add a halo-strap and a battery, but these must be ordered separately.

The image resolution of both the Oculus Quest 2 and the Pico Neo 2 are both simply very good. The built-in processors (Snapdragon 845 for Pico Neo 2, Snapdragon XR2 for Oculus Quest 2) provide enough graphic power to display VR applications and content in a beautiful way. The graphics processor of the Oculus Quest 2 turns out to be a bit stronger than the Snapdragon 845 used in the Pico Neo 2. This is particularly noticeable in demanding games like Arizona Sunshine. The details, like shadows, blood spatters, and other things, look a bit better on the X2. However, this does not detract from the fact that the Snapdragon 845 also does a good job. In less demanding applications, such as Beat Saber or a self-developed training, you hardly notice a difference in the image resolution.

Since the controllers of the Oculus Rift S and the Oculus Quest are the same, many people are now familiar with this design. The Quest Touch controllers are comfortable to hold and easy to use. But one of the disadvantages of this controller is that, especially if you have no experience with VR, the controllers are not very intuitive. For many new users, it is difficult to keep their fingers in the right places and to press the right buttons (think, for example, of the trigger on the side with which you can grab something). Pico Neo 2, therefore, envisioned a simpler design. The controllers have a straight shape and feel more natural to hold. An additional advantage is that the Pico Neo 2 controllers can be charged via a USB-C cable, while the Oculus touch controllers run on batteries. The downside of the Pico Neo 2 controllers is that they are less suitable for a variety of accessories, such as protective covers and docking stations.

One of the most important features of Pico Neo 2 is that it is developed for business users. In fact: Pico Interactive, the company behind Pico Neo 2, only offers the headset to business users - not to consumers. You can see this in two things: the face mask and the standard VR content. The Oculus Quest 2 has a much lower purchase price (available from €349,-) and is specifically aimed at consumers. However, Oculus offers the possibility to enter into an "Oculus for Business" agreement, allowing companies and organizations to use the headset in a business or commercial environment.

Pico Neo 2 comes standard with a PU leather face mask. This mask can easily be wiped clean with a cloth, so you can switch between different users with peace of mind. Oculus Quest 2 comes standard with a foam face mask. Although comfortable, it is harder to keep clean, and you'll notice that sweat penetrates it more quickly. Fortunately, there are plenty of accessories available to use the Quest 2 in a hygienic way, such as a cotton or silicone mask.

Another important difference between the Oculus Quest 2 and the Pico Neo 2 is the software that is offered as standard. The Oculus Store is now filled with the funniest and newest VR games you can play. The Pico Store, on the other hand, looks very empty and deserted. This is where the difference between the business product and consumer product becomes clear: the "empty" Pico Store offers tremendous opportunities for using your own VR content and applications, and the overcrowded Oculus Store leaves little room for this. In addition, it is mandatory with the Oculus Quest 2 tolog in with a Facebook account.

The answer to this question is easy: are you a consumer? Then your best choice is the standard Oculus Quest 2. The wide range of VR games, the powerful graphics processor for playing games, and the relatively low purchase price make the Oculus Quest 2 a very attractive VR headset for anyone looking to have a first VR experience or upgrade their current VR headset.

But are you a business and do you want to use the VR headset for business or commercial applications? Then both glasses are good choices. You can then choose to purchase the Oculus Quest 2 for Business variant, or to use the Pico Neo 2. Both VR glasses are a good choice - however, the Quest 2-for business feels just a bit better and more familiar due to the extensive software possibilities.