"Reduced Weight and Enhanced Immersion" Facebook Unveils Oculus Quest 2... $299

Oculus Quest 2

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] "Lighter weight, higher content immersion." The latest standalone virtual reality (VR) headset, the 'Oculus Quest 2,' will be released in 22 countries worldwide this October at a starting price of $299.

According to IT media outlet The Verge, Facebook unveiled the 'Oculus Quest 2' and began pre-orders at the 'Facebook Connect Livestream' event held on the 16th (local time).

The Oculus Quest 2, launching on the 13th of next month, is over 10% lighter than its predecessor, weighing 503g compared to 571g, and features the ability to enjoy games without cables. Instead of hard rubber, it uses soft fabric for securing, enhancing wearing comfort. It is also thinner. Compared to competitors like Sony and HMC products, it is evaluated to be superior in portability and comfort.

Inside, it is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2 processor developed for AR (augmented reality) and VR, replacing the Snapdragon 835. It has 6GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB or 256GB. The resolution has increased from the previous 1440 x 1600 pixels to 1832 x 1920 pixels. The image refresh rate per second remains the same as the previous model (72Hz) but is scheduled to be upgraded to 90Hz after release. Battery life is 2 to 3 hours, the same as the previous model.

The price is $299 for the 64GB base model and $399 for the 256GB model.

The Oculus Quest 2 also supports 'Oculus Link,' which allows users to enjoy PC-based VR games. Additionally, it enables users to find Facebook friends within VR. The company explained that this focus on 'expanding social experiences' was a response to strengthened social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. However, The Verge pointed out that requiring a Facebook account instead of an Oculus account could be a downside. Facebook plans to expand content such as games, which hold the key to widespread adoption.

Having emphasized the importance of VR and acquired Oculus in 2013, Facebook also announced plans to further strengthen its VR and AR sectors. First, it integrated its in-house VR and AR development divisions to launch a new research lab. Partnering with Ray-Ban, famous for sunglasses, it will release its first 'smart glasses' next year. Additionally, Facebook plans to allow the AR program 'Spark AR,' used on platforms like Instagram, to be applied to third-party applications.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.