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New Oculus VR Headsets Coming In Spring For $400: Rift S And Quest Details

VR with fewer headaches.

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Oculus has revealed its next PC-based VR headset called the Rift S as part of GDC 2019. The most notable improvement is the inclusion of built-in sensors for inside-out tracking; this means you'll no longer need to set up external sensors if you use a Rift S. Additional details on Oculus Quest have also been announced as well, which is the company's upcoming standalone headset. Both packages will include two Oculus Touch controllers as well.

The built-in sensors make up what's called Oculus Insight and it's capable of free-roaming room scale VR gaming. The Rift S features five separate sensors on the headset while the Quest has four. Rift S also comes with a bump in visual quality--it'll have a total resolution of 2560x1440 (1280x1440 per eye) on a fast-switch LCD display. However, refresh rate has been slightly dropped down, going from 90 Hz to 80 Hz. Oculus stated that this was done to offset the increase in resolution in order to maintain the same required PC hardware specifications to run Oculus games properly.

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Now Playing: 5 Great VR Games To Play On Oculus Rift

As for the Quest's specs, it's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with storage options starting at 64 GB. Oculus states that the headset's resolution is 1600x1440 per eye on an OLED display with an overall refresh rate of 72 Hz.

Oculus Quest (left), Oculus Rift S (right)
Oculus Quest (left), Oculus Rift S (right)

Other notable improvements that come with the Oculus Rift S include the new head strap. It takes on a similar design to the PlayStation VR with a ring-like headband that's simply adjusted with a dial on the back. There is integrated audio on the headset so separate audio devices aren't necessary, but a 3.5mm audio jack still allows you to use your own headphones.

Oculus made it clear that the Rift S is not a "Rift 2" and instead a much better version of the original since it'll play all of the same games and live on the same ecosystem. The Quest's game library will differ due to the lower specs of the standalone headset; however, all Quest games will be playable on the Rift. More than 50 games will be available for Quest on launch day.

The Rift S and Quest headsets will launch sometime in Spring 2019 for $400.

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TheMogget

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however, all Quest games will be playable on the Rift.

I am not sure this is entirely true. Most Quest games are actually just ported Rift games, so they are already on the Rift. Also, in terms of processing power a Rift-capable rig will be able to run any Quest game. So most Quest games will also be on the Rift. Rift is a market that is too big to ignore.

The Quest can do things like larger play areas that are harder to do with the Rift. It is also able to do more stuff like location-based VR. The Quest also will be more likely to share games with the Go, and even if they 'could' make it to the Rift that doesn't mean they will. As time goes on, I expect some developers will be willing to go more for the mobile-exclusive market even if Rifts cannot do it without a PC in a backpack.

Also, there is at least one announced 'Quest exclusive' I know of - 'Vader Immortal' which might not be exclusive forever, but who knows. Another long-run prediction - the Quest is going to sell like hot cakes and grab developer attention. People will be asking if Quest games are going to be on their Rift, rather than asking if Rift games will come to the Quest. Stand-alone is the future. Bank on that.

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Spoochy

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I think the HP Reverb is better, with the only downside being that it's wired. Thoughts?

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TheMogget

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@spoochy: Better than which one? The Rift S is also wired, and rumor has it that the HP Reverb is a better overall product. Or do you mean that it has outside-in tracking with the sensor things?

The Quest is entirely stand-alone - no pc, no sensors, no wires to your head. That is the one I am interested in. Convenience and mobility over processing power. VR + Gameboy = win.

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gamer112696

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Edited By gamer112696

I’ll definitely be curious to see the reviews about the Rift S. I have a Vive Pro now but would like to play those sweet looking Oculus exclusives. But the OG rift setup would be kind of annoying for me (running cords from sensors to PC, Vive basestations so much more convenient). I’m a little concerned about the changes to LCD and the slower refresh rate though. Hopefully it works out well though. I guess I can always try Revive...

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Heqteur

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YAY!!! after HTC Vive pro, it's now Oculus' turn to catch up with the actual real best VR headset (HMD Odyssey).

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