Mark Zuckerberg is, once again, in the news and as convention dictates, he has sparked a new controversy. His recent post on Instagram compared the Meta Quest 3 to the Apple Vision Pro and well, no points for guessing which of the two is his favourite. We know Mark would always pick the one that came from his vast empire. But is he talking sense? In an outright Meta Quest 3 vs Apple Vision Pro comparison, would we see Meta’s David take on Apple’s Goliath and succeed?
You won’t be wrong to pick the Apple Vision Pro in the aforementioned battle. Tim Cook and his team of geniuses have created a unique Mixed Reality headset that can replace four of the most important gadgets in your life – your TV, laptop, tablet and smartphone. The Vision Pro wants to slingshot us into the sci-fi future where one device takes care of all our digital needs. This is why you pay a hefty price for it today despite it not featuring something as simple as a YouTube app.
The Meta Quest 3 represents the Mixed Reality headset of today and when you look at it as a package, it might appeal more to the value-conscious buyers. Unlike the Vision Pro, it only wants to provide an immersive viewing experience alongside your TV and tablet.
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So, is Mark Zuckerberg’s dig at the ambitious Apple Vision Pro justified? We decided to find out with a classic comparison.
In this regard, the Apple Vision Pro would easily take the honours. It might resemble a pair of snow goggles but Apple’s attention to detail on every aspect of the gadget makes it so desirable. Be it the meticulous design headband or the rotary knob inspired by the Apple Watch crown, the Vision Pro represents the perfect amalgamation of beauty and brains.
The plasticky Meta Quest 3 with its oddly shaped sensor package won’t get any glances in public unless you are busy fighting your VR enemies holding the physical joypad controls.
Winner: Apple Vision Pro
Meta simplified and added lightness, which is a big deal for a VR headset. A lighter headset makes it easy to wear it for longer durations, which directly translates to more opportunities with this headset.
On the other hand, Apple’s obsession with using a premium metal body on the Vision Pro makes it too heavy and uncomfortable for users. Even the headband arrangement doesn’t help to even out the weight distribution. It also has a battery pack dangling from one of its sides.
Winner: Meta Quest 3
Being the more expensive headset of the two, the Apple Vision Pro offers a pair of superior Micro OLED panels with a resolution of 2,160 x 3,840 pixels and a refresh rate of 100Hz. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 offers a wider field of view with its pair of LCD panels rending everything at a resolution of 2,064 x 2,299 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The LCD panels do not provide the sharpness and vibrancy of an OLED panel but given the package, it should fit most of your VR needs.
Winner: Apple Vision Pro
Another aspect where the Apple Vision Pro commands a lead is the performance. With a dedicated visionOS platform relying on an advanced array of cameras and sensors and the combination of the Apple M2 and R1 chips, the Vision Pro is easily the most advanced headset on sale.
Apple says that you will be able to run and place apps in the space, adjust the background opacity in real time and use a majority of Mac as well as iPad apps on it directly. The visionOS platform makes it more suitable for entertainment and productivity. The onboard cameras can take a 3D photo and thanks to the Spatial Audio enabled speakers, you get an immersive theatrical experience while watching 3D movies.
However, despite being built to a price, the Meta Quest 3 has a highly capable Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset which can run a wide variety of VR apps and games. Meta’s user interface relies on flat design themes and using its outboard cameras, it can provide a passthrough while wearing, i.e. you can see your surroundings while wearing the headset. While the Quest 3 has a dedicated library of VR games, you can hook it up to a PC and use it as an immersive VR display for supported video games.
Winner: Apple Vision Pro
Call us old school but the Meta Quest 3’s physical controls along with the hand gestures make for the best input interface for any VR headset today. The hand gestures are good enough for generic navigation and movie sessions whereas the joypad-like controls come in handy while gaming. Once again, simplicity works better.
The Apple Vision Pro lacks a dedicated controller and solely relies on a combination of hand gestures and eye tracking. That requires a long learning curve and even when you get used to it, the lack of physical controls limits its capabilities in VR gaming. You do get Optic ID as an extra for secure biometric verification but it does little to elevate the controlling experience.
Winner: Meta Quest 3
Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3 headset promise up to two hours of battery life on a full charge, provided you don’t play games or run intensive tasks. In an era where your smartphone lasts up to 6-7 hours on average with continuous usage, that’s too little. Hence, both headsets offer the option to use the headset while the device is plugged into a charger.
Apple doesn’t mention charger compatibility but the Meta Quest 3 can make use of a 45W adapter for quicker charging.
Winner: Tie
No prizes for guessing here, it is the Meta Quest 3 with its lowly starting price in the proximity of USD 745. The Apple Vision Pro’s entry price of USD 3,499 is higher than most powerful gaming laptops and PCs you can buy today, let alone a Mixed Reality headset.
Winner: Meta Quest 3
Result: Tie
After an in-depth look at the specifications of the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro, it seems that both are on par as far as a direct comparison is concerned. Is Mark Zuckerberg proven wrong then?
To obtain clarity, you have to look at the bigger picture. The Meta Quest 3 is undoubtedly great value for money, considering that you get a Mixed Reality headset with advanced sensors, a vast collection of apps and games, the versatility of using it as a gaming display, widespread availability and a more accessible price tag. It makes for an easy pathway to get into the world of Mixed Reality.
However, the lower cost of the Quest 3 translates to an overall average user experience and that’s where the Apple Vision Pro shines. It is certainly carrying an exorbitant price tag but Apple wants the Vision Pro to be your one-stop entertainment and productivity centre instead of being another accessory. That ambition is reflected with visionOS and the choice of an advanced laptop-grade processor.
Being a first-generation product though, the Vision Pro isn’t the most comfortable headset to wear and it could take Apple a couple of generations before making it more practical, affordable and easily available.
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Apple and Meta)
This story first appeared on Augustman Singapore
– What is the major difference between Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro?
The Meta Quest 3 has a more accessible price tag, a pair of physical controllers, a vast collection of apps and games and compatibility with other devices to be used as a VR display. The Apple Vision Pro is more expensive and offers sharper OLED displays, an advanced visionOS platform, Spatial Audio and better integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
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