In October 2021, Facebook announced it was changing its company name to Meta. This rebranding signified a strategic shift to focus more on the "metaverse" and building the next generation of social connection using virtual and augmented reality technology.
One product impacted by this name change was the Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality (VR) headset. Facebook acquired Oculus back in 2014, so the Oculus product line was already under their corporate umbrella. However, the popular Quest 2 headset was renamed to "Meta Quest 2” as part of this rebranding effort.
This leaves many consumers wondering — is there any actual difference between the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2, or did Facebook simply slap a new name onto an existing product? Let‘s explore the history and context behind these VR headsets to understand if there’s more to this change than meets the eye.
Brief History Behind Oculus and Quest 2
The Oculus Rift first launched in 2016 as the brainchild of VR pioneer Palmer Luckey. The initial versions of Oculus Rift headsets required a connected PC to power the high-end VR experiences. While innovative, accessibility was limited due to cost and technical requirements.
Facebook acquired Oculus for $2 billion in 2014 — a clear sign of where Mark Zuckerberg wanted to steer his social media empire next. Integrating VR/AR technology with social platforms remains central to their vision for the "metaverse."
In 2020, Oculus launched the Quest 2 — its first completely wireless, standalone headset with all processing power built directly into the device. Without relying on an external PC or smartphone, the Quest 2 represented a major step towards mass adoption of VR. Starting at $299, it’s also one of the most affordable and user-friendly VR solutions available.
How the Meta Rebranding Impacts the Headset
When Facebook rebranded itself as Meta in 2021, most Oculus products were migrated under this new corporate name, including the popular Quest 2 headset. This was largely a branding strategy to reflect Facebook‘s heightened focus on VR/AR technologies powering the theoretical metaverse.
Officially, the headset is now called the “Meta Quest 2” rather than Oculus Quest 2. However, absolutely nothing changed about the actual product — Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2 are identical VR headsets with no technical differences whatsoever. The only change is the logo branding on the front.
Both headsets share the exact specifications:
- Display Resolution: 1832×1920 pixels per eye
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB options
- Processor: Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM XR2
- Battery life: 2-3 hours gameplay
- Weight: 1.83 pounds
They also share the same software, storefronts, accessories, and overall functionality out of the box. No features or performance capabilities were added or removed based on this name change. For all practical purposes, think of Meta Quest 2 as a “Oculus Quest 2” with a fresh coat of paint rather than an overhauled product.
Why Change the Name at All?
If the Oculus Quest 2 headset already lived under the Facebook/Meta ecosystem, why bother changing the name to Meta Quest 2? Wouldn’t it confuse people or dilute the branding Oculus spent years building?
The rationale ties back to Facebook’s overarching corporate strategy. As Zuckerberg bets heavily on the metaverse, he likely wanted a clean break from legacy brand names like "Facebook" or "Oculus" which carried established identities and perceptions. The “Meta” name provides a blank slate focused on the future rather than past.
For a VR headset serving as an access point to their vision for an immersive social metaverse, the Meta Quest 2 name aligns better to this narrative. It deemphasizes “Oculus” as just one subsidiary working on one device type, rather than Meta’s all-encompassing metaverse ecosystem powering everything.
Make no mistake, though — the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 are two names referring to one identical product. The differences live only in abstract branding semantics rather than tangible hardware changes.
Pros and Cons of the Rebranding
Changing such a popular VR headset to an entirely new name doesn’t come without tradeoffs:
Potential Pros:
- Fresh branding better aligning to Meta’s overarching corporate narrative
- Distancing from any lingering negative associations with Facebook or Oculus
- Signaling a new “era” of products built specifically for metaverse experiences
Potential Cons:
- Confusing or alienating consumers who knew the product as Oculus Quest
- Losing brand recognition and loyalty accumulated by Oculus over the years
- Perception that this wasn’t just a name change but more substantive product overhaul
Ultimately the Meta rebranding causes near-term confusion but likely makes sense long-term if VR/AR headsets are truly the gateway to their envisioned metaverse. Sticking with “Oculus” branding almost takes away from their grander ambitions.
Despite flaws in the rollout messaging, at least Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2 confusion can be easily cleared up — they refer to the exact same headset, regardless of the name printed on the box.
Accessories, Software, and Functionality All Remain the Same
An important caveat emphasizing the identical nature of these headsets: absolutely no changes occurred under the hood between Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 2 when it comes to accessories, software, or functionality.
Whether you owned the headset before or after the rebranding, you can use the same:
- VR apps and games from the Oculus Store (now the Meta Quest Store)
- Entertainment apps like Netflix or MasterClass — plus the option to cast to TVs
- Accessories like the Elite Strap for added comfort
- Link cable for connecting to a gaming PC to access Oculus Rift apps and SteamVR
- Advanced developer mode and sideloading abilities
No new features launched along with the name change, and no existing abilities went away. From both hardware and software perspectives, zero modifications occurred to the platform or ecosystem.
The Meta Quest 2 runs the exact same operating system and stores. If you already owned an Oculus Quest 2, updating to the latest software gets you to parity with the Meta Quest 2 since again, they are the same product.
Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Meta Quest 2 just an Oculus Quest 2 with a different name?
Yes. Meta Quest 2 formerly known as Oculus Quest 2.
What’s the difference between Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2?
In terms of hardware, specs, performance, accessories, and software, there is literally no difference whatsoever. They are identical products simply branded differently after Facebook‘s company rename to Meta.
Is a Meta Quest 2 better than Oculus Quest 2?
No, you can consider them the exact same headset. Go with whichever brand name you prefer!
Which VR headset is better – Meta Quest Pro vs. Meta Quest 2?
The Meta Quest Pro is newer with enhanced features and resolution, selling for $1,500+ vs. the Meta Quest 2 priced around $300. For most consumers focused on gaming rather than professional use cases, the Meta Quest 2 is likely the better choice still.
Do all Oculus Quest 2 accessories work on Meta Quest 2?
Yes. Since these are identical headsets, accessories never changed between them. Any Oculus Quest 2 accessory like the Elite Strap fits perfectly on the Meta Quest 2 as well. No new add-ons were released along with the branding.
Can I still use my Oculus Quest 2 since they changed the name?
Absolutely! Functionally there’s no difference between what was formerly called the Oculus Quest 2 vs. the headset now known as Meta Quest 2. You can continue enjoying the same apps and accessories regardless of the logo.
Hopefully this helps explain why comparing Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2 specs reveals they are the exact same hardware and software! The name change was purely cosmetic rather than functional. Meta wanted branding better suited for the metaverse, but your VR experiences remain unaltered.
