With Sony’s PSVR 2 set to launch toward the end of 2022 – supply issues permitting – its main rival in the virtual reality space is likely to be the Oculus Quest 2 (though Oculus has now rebranded as Meta). But how do the two headsets compare?
Things are pretty close when it comes to the overall specs of the two headsets, but there are a few key differences that are worth bearing in mind. We’ll touch on the strengths and weaknesses of each, and make some educated guesses along the way, to help you decide which one is right for you.
So, when it comes to PSVR 2 vs Quest 2 , which VR headset should you buy? Read on to find out the similarities and differences between two of the hottest headsets in the VR space.
PSVR 2 vs Quest 2: price and release date
We’re still waiting to find out exactly how much PSVR 2 will cost, but a quick look at the original PlayStation VR ’s launch price may give us a clue as to what we can expect if it hits Sony’s suggested release date of late 2022.
The original price for a full PSVR bundle was $499 (£399, about AU$650), which is a fair chunk of change to depart with when you consider you’ll also need a PS5 to use it. The PSVR 2 is set to include the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller , but $499/£399 could be too expensive for some.
In comparison, the Quest 2 was released on October 13, 2020, and the 128GB version typically sells for $299 / £299 / AU$749. There’s also a 256GB version available for £399 / $299 / AU$639. Unlike the PSVR 2, the Quest 2 is a standalone device, which means you don’t need a PC, console, or an additional screen to use it.
PSVR 2 vs Quest 2: design and features
Sony showed off the PSVR 2's headset design , and it's very similar to the company's PSVR model. Sony says the new headset is slimmer, lighter and includes an adjustable headband, adjustable scope area, and a lens adjustment dial. There's also a vent that should keep you cool when gaming.
The PSVR 2 uses a 4K HDR OLED panel, with a resolution of 2000 x 2040 per eye. The refresh rate will be 90Hz - 120Hz , with a field of view of 110 degrees. The PSVR 2 also supports inside-out tracking, is capable of eye tracking, and includes foveated rendering .
Sony has also included a number of sensory features in the PSVR 2 which the company hopes will increase player immersion. The PSVR 2 will support Sony’s Tempest 3D audio tech, and the PSVR 2 Sense controller will make use of haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and finger tracking. The headset itself will also contain a built-in motor that can replicate sensations such as an object passing by your head.
The Quest 2 uses an LCD panel, has a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye, which is lower than the PSVR 2, but is capable of the same refresh rate of 90Hz - 120Hz. There’s also inside-out tracking, but no eye tracking on the Quest 2. Its field of view is smaller, too, at 90 degrees.
The Quest 2 comes with a pair of Touch controllers, which have a baton-like handle, triggers for your forefingers and grips, as well as face buttons and analog sticks. These controllers can be tracked by the headset, which allows games to accurately portray your hands and arm movements.
Unlike the Quest 2, which is completely wireless and doesn’t require a PC, console, or any additional hardware, you’ll need a PS5 if you want to use the PSVR 2. Sony’s PlayStation VR2 also needs to be connected to the PlayStation 5 using a single cable. You can hook your Quest 2 up to a PC, too, if you want to play certain more graphically intensive VR games.
One thing that might deter some Quest 2 users, however, is that you currently need to log in with a Facebook account . This has been tipped to change in the future by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who said the company is "working on making it so you can log in into Quest with an account other than your personal Facebook account", but it's unclear when that change will come into effect.
PSVR 2 vs Quest 2: specs
The PSVR 2 certainly sounds like an impressive device on paper. In fact, the specs suggest that Sony’s headset will be one of the most advanced headsets on the market, as things currently stand. Sony shared the full specs of the PlayStation VR 2 at CES 2022 , which you can find below:
| PSVR 2 specs | |
|---|---|
| Display Method | OLED |
| Panel resolution | 2000 x 2040 per eye |
| Panel refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Lens separation | Adjustable |
| Field of View | Approx. 110 degrees |
| Sensors | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)) |
| Cameras | 4 cameras for headset and controller tracking, IR camera for eye tracking per eye |
| Feedback | Vibration on headset |
| Communication with PS5 | USB Type-C |
| Audio | Input: Built-in microphone, Output: Stereo headphone jack |
The Quest 2 is no slouch when it comes to specs, however. The headset may already be over a year old, but it will still provide a fantastic experience. It also has the added benefit of being a standalone and wireless device, something which no other headset can offer. Check the full specs of the Oculus Quest 2 below to see how it compares to the PSVR 2:
| Oculus Quest 2 | |
|---|---|
| Display Method | LCD |
| Panel resolution | 1832 x 1920 per eye |
| Panel refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Lens separation | Adjustable |
| Field of View | Approx. 90 degrees |
| Sensors | Motion Sensor: Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)) |
| Cameras | 4 cameras for headset and controller tracking |
| Communication | Wireless (can be tethered to a PC) |
| Audio | Integrated positional audio |
| Battery life | 2-3 hours |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform |
PSVR 2 vs Quest 2: games
The PSVR 2 will likely be home to a number of exclusive titles that you won’t find anywhere else, like Horizon Call of the Mountain , a new spin-off game in the Horizon series. We expect that Sony’s headset will also attract some of the most popular VR games, too, like Beat Saber , and there’s a strong possibility we could see upgraded versions of older PSVR games that take advantage of the new hardware and PS5 .
It’s unclear whether the PSVR 2 will be backward-compatible with older games, but we seriously hope it is. Having a large library of titles to play on day one would certainly be a boon to new adopters, and make the PSVR 2 feel like a more appealing purchase to those who may already have amassed a large selection of VR titles.
The Quest 2 already has a vast library of games to play right now, and because you can tether it to a PC, that expands its library further. Titles like Superhot VR, Tetris Effect, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim all work great on the Quest 2, and you don’t need to stump up any cash for any additional hardware.
PSVR 2 vs Quest 2: verdict
It’s also difficult comparing a device that’s available right now to one that’s set to arrive in the future, but it’s clear that Sony’s PSVR 2 headset will be a strong contender for best VR headset if it releases this year.
The Quest 2 may be bested by the PSVR 2 when it comes to specs, but it has two big advantages: wireless play and the fact you don’t need to buy any additional hardware like a PlayStation 5. With VR adoption growing slowly, the need to purchase a $499 / £449 console and headset separately is quite a large barrier to entry and could mean that only a small portion of PS5 owners take the plunge.
Sony could also face stiffer competition in the form of the Quest 3 , which will feature improved specs and maintain many of the key selling points of the Quest 2, such as a lower price and wireless play.
Ultimately, it’s software that will help drive hardware sales of both devices, and with VR games becoming more popular with each passing year, it’s great to see that Sony is sticking with virtual reality after the PSVR’s somewhat middling performance.
I'm finally saying goodbye to PCIe 3.0 SSDs - it's time for faster storage
Saying goodbye to a trusted SSD isn't as easy as you think.
When you're constantly testing the best graphics cards , processors , you tend to find a reliable piece of equipment and rely on it heavily. For me, I like having the same test drive across all of my tests, carrying it over into every build I do. Sometimes it's because it already has all the tests and settings I need, and other times, it's just because I know it's a reliable drive.
However, my main testing drive over the last three years has been the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro, a drive that, by today's standards, is pretty slow. And, with all the new hardware and software that's going to be built to take advantage of it, it's time my humble little test drive grew up a bit.
Luckily, now that every mainstream computing platform supports PCIe 4.0 SSDs, I can just upgrade to my current favorite SSD, the Samsung 980 Pro .
You could have done this earlier, Jackie
Yeah, I know, there was nothing stopping me from slotting in a PCIe 3.0 SSD before. Even motherboards that don't support the standard would be able to read it, they just wouldn't be able to use the higher speeds.
And I know that I could have made the change when the Intel Core i9-11900K dropped because that was when Intel SSDs started supporting PCIe 4.0 drives.
But, listen, I didn't because that would have taken time and would have also required the presence of mind to actually do the upgrade. Two things that I usually don't have a lot of.
Now we can review more SSDs
One of the biggest bottlenecks we've faced in trying to review more SSDs to help readers like you find the best one - whether you're a gamer looking to build a sweet gaming rig or you just want to breathe a little bit of life into an aging laptop - was the gap in speed between PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0.
I've spent a lot of time trying to think of a solid drive to keep as a test drive in order to provide a solid baseline and to make sure that all results are comparable. The last thing I want to do is write an SSD review where I leave performance on the table because I didn't pair it with the fastest drive I could.
But deciding on that drive is tricky because there are so many excellent drives out there. The right drive was staring at me in the face from the top of our best SSD buying guide, though.
The Samsung 980 Pro has been an excellent piece of hardware in its lifespan. It's fast, relatively affordable for a high-end part, and even has a heatsink'd version for the PS5. Just how common it is makes me a lot more comfortable basing all my PC component reviews on it for the foreseeable future.
And now the seal is broken, and the embarrassing pile of SSDs that I've been putting off reviewing until I have "more time" - even though I literally never have more time - can finally be reviewed.
Who knows, though, I might need to upgrade again in a year or so when PCIe 5.0 drives are finally a thing. I mean, 12th-generation Intel processors already support it, so hopefully, we can see some even faster drives in the near future.
Other test bench upgrades
The SSD isn't the only part of the system I'm reconsidering, and in the name of trying to foster greater clarity in the life of a hardware tester, I'm making a few other changes to the main hardware I will use to test everything from a new graphics card to the best new PC games as they launch.
With the speed of the Intel Core i9-12900K , I am going to be using that as my main testing platform, instead of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X I was using before. The Intel Core i9-12900K is just so good that it will help eliminate any and all bottlenecks. In my testing, it barely even bottlenecked the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 at 1080p, and I thought it would be another couple of CPU generations before we got there.
And with the move to Intel Alder Lake as my main testing platform, I will also be going with a 32GB DDR5 kit at 5,200MHz. Specifically, it'll be Corsair Dominator. It's mainly because that RAM was physically closest to me when I set out to switch things up, but it's also very pretty and that helps a lot. After all, it's something I can stare at and dissociate while I run my 50th benchmark at 9 PM while stuck in the office. "Oooh, pretty," basically.
There will be occasions where I'll need to use DDR4 RAM instead, but luckily I do have a DDR4-compatible Z690 board on hand to make sure that comparisons between AMD and Intel are fair. Hopefully, the next AMD Ryzen desktop processors will support DDR5, though I think it's pretty safe to assume they will.
My personal machine is next
While I need to keep my test bench in the office up to date, I can let my personal rig start to age a bit. I do some game testing on it from time to time, but usually without noting anything down. I'll just play a game to find a good benchmarking loop and get a general feel for how it performs at a high resolution and high settings the night before I start testing, and save the hardcore testing for in the office.
But my rig is starting to get a little old. Well, not old old , but old enough that it would be prudent to make a few upgrades.
Right now at home, I'm equipped with a Ryzen 9 3900X, 32GB of DDR4 at 3,000MHz, a 512GB ADATA XPG SX8200, and an RTX 3090. Along with that, I have a collection of SATA SSDs that I store games that won't fit on my C:/ drive.
Over the next few months, I'd like to get this upgraded to an Intel Alder Lake chip, with DDR5 RAM and a PCIe 4.0 SSD. Until now I haven't really felt the need, especially because I usually play games at 3,440 x 1,440, a resolution where all the work is put on the GPU, anyway. But I do keep hearing about DirectStorage , and it's only a matter of time before having a faster SSD actually matters for gaming.
We're definitely not there yet, but now that I've retired my PCIe 3.0 C:/ drive on my test bench, maybe it's time to do the same thing at home.
New Netflix movies 2022: every original film coming to the streamer this year
It's not often that a major streamer lifts the lid on its entire annual movie slate ahead of time, but that’s exactly what Netflix has done with its impressive selection of original features heading to the platform throughout 2022.
There isn't just a handful of new Netflix movies to look forward to, either. In a February press release , the company revealed it would be dropping a new film every week until December 31 – that was 71 upcoming titles, at the time of announcement.
We've already seen the likes of The Adam Project and Windfall release on the platform this year, so we're excited for the (many) other original movies heading our way over the next twelve months.
Below, we’ve collated details on the biggest of the lot, combining their official synopses (as provided by Netflix) with any confirmed release dates, trailers and promotional imagery to give you a better idea of what’s coming in 2022.
For a whistle-stop tour of the streamer’s schedule – which includes nods to Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio , Knives Out 2 and the star-studded The Gray Man – check out the preview trailer below.
Hustle
Release date: June 10
After discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, a down-on-his-luck basketball scout (Adam Sandler) takes it upon himself to bring the phenom to the States without his team's approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA. We have a hunch that they’ll pull it off.
Spiderhead
Release date: June 17
In the near future, two young convicts grapple with their pasts in a facility run by a brilliant visionary, who experiments on inmates with emotion-altering drugs. Based on The New Yorker article Escape From Spiderhead by George Saunders, this cryptic thriller stars Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller, and comes from Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski.
The Sea Beast
Release date: July 8
In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes – and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he’s saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history. Oscar-winning filmmaker Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero Six) directs this animated adventure.
The Gray Man
Release date: July 22
When the CIA’s most skilled mercenary – whose true identity is unknown – accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins. The Gray Man comes from frequent Marvel movie directors Joe and Anthony Russo, and stars former Captain America actor Chris Evans, La La Land's Ryan Gosling, James Bond and Knives Out actress Ana de Armas and Bridgerton alum Regé-Jean Page. It'll be available to see in cinemas a week earlier on July 15, too, as per Netflix's recent announcement .
Day Shift
Release date: August 12
Jamie Foxx stars as a hard working blue collar dad who just wants to provide a good life for his quick-witted daughter, but his mundane San Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income – hunting and killing vampires as part of an international Union of vampire hunters. We’re intrigued, to say the least.
Me Time
Release date: August 26
Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg and Regina Hall all star in this John Hamburg-directed comedy about a stay-at-home dad who “finds himself with some ‘me time’ for the first time in years while his wife and kids are away." So what does he do? He reconnects with his former best friend for a wild weekend that nearly upends his life. We're getting strong Grown Ups vibes from this one.
Knives Out 2
Release date: TBA
In the follow-up to Rian Johnson's hugely popular crime thriller, Knives Out, Daniel Craig returns as Detective Benoit Blanc (this time travelling to Greece) to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colorful suspects. Hopefully it’ll be better than Death on the Nile .
Enola Holmes 2
Release date: TBA (rumors suggest August)
Now a detective-for-hire like her infamous brother, Enola Holmes (Milly Bobby Brown) takes on her first official case to find a missing girl, as the sparks of a dangerous conspiracy ignite a mystery that requires the help of friends – and Sherlock himself – to unravel.
The Mother
Release date: TBA
Cue generic Netflix thriller plot: A deadly female assassin (Jennifer Lopez) comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she gave up years before, while on the run from dangerous men.
A bit of a change of pace for Lopez after glitzy rom-com Marry Me...
Slumberland
Release date: (rumors suggest June-August)
A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw (Jason Momoa), she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she’ll be able to see her late father again. It looks like a cutesy family adventure, to be fair.
We Have a Ghost
Release date: TBA
Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon helms this spooky family adventure starring Anthony Mackie and David Harbour. After finding a ghost named Ernest haunting their new home, Kevin and his family turn into overnight social media sensations. But when Kevin and Ernest go rogue to investigate the mystery of the latter's past, the family instead becomes a target for the CIA.
The Mothership
Release date: TBA
The Mothership is a sci-fi adventure that follows Sara Morse (Halle Berry) one year after her husband (Omari Hardwick) mysteriously vanishes from their rural farm. When she discovers a strange, extraterrestrial object underneath their home, Sara and her kids embark on a race to find their husband, father and most importantly – the truth. Sounds ominous.
Carter
Release date: TBA
Suffering from memory loss, Agent Carter (no, not that one) is thrown into an explosive mission filled with inexplicable mysteries. Orchestrated by renowned action film director Jung Byung-gil and starring Joo Won, this chase thriller bears all the hallmarks of a good time.
The School for Good and Evil
Release date: TBA
Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of a modern fairy tale when they’re swept away into an enchanted school where young heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance of good and evil. This one is based on the bestselling book series by Soman Chainani and stars Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington and Laurence Fishburne.
The Good Nurse
Release date: TBA
Suspicious that her colleague is responsible for a series of mysterious patient deaths, a nurse risks her own life to uncover the truth in this gripping thriller based on true events (as documented in the book by Charles Graeber). Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain lead the cast in this prequel to The Good Doctor (that's a joke).
End of the Road
Release date: TBA
After losing her job, recently widowed Brenda drives her family cross-country to start a new life. In the New Mexico desert, cut off from help, they must learn to fight back when they become the targets of a mysterious killer. Queen Latifah and Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges star in this one.
Wendell & Wild
Release date: October (day tba)
From the minds of Henry Selick and Jordan Peel comes Wendell & Wild, an animated tale about scheming demon brothers Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wild (Peele), who enlist the aid of a tough teen to summon them to the Land of the Living. This one is “an animated fantasy that defies the law of life and death,” according to Netflix, which has us excited to learn more.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Release date: December (day tba)
Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro reinvents Carlo Collodi's classic tale of the wooden marionette who is magically brought to life in order to mend the heart of a grieving woodcarver named Geppetto. This whimsical, stop-motion musical follows the mischievous and disobedient adventures of Pinocchio in his pursuit of a place in the world. It also looks exceptionally creepy.
You People
Release date: TBA
A new couple and their families find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences in this comedy from Kenya Barris. Jonah Hill (also a producer), Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus all star here.
Matilda
Release date: December 2
An adaptation of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results. Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch and Stephen Graham all star in this inevitably cheerful feature, which will release in UK cinemas and on Netflix overseas.
Spaceman
Release date: TBA
As an astronaut sent to the edge of the galaxy to collect mysterious ancient dust finds his earthly life falling to pieces, he turns to the only voice who can help him try to put it back together. It just so happens to belong to a creature from the beginning of time lurking in the shadows of his ship. Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan and Paul Dano star in this one, which has us more intrigued than the movie’s plot otherwise does.