Apple has created intense hype around the $3,499 Vision Pro, the company’s latest and most innovative product. However, that doesn’t change the fact that at its core, Vision Pro is an exceptional VR headset, and the moment people start calling it that, the headset, through no fault of its own, falls directly in competition with the $499 Meta Quest 3. After all, both VR headsets provide high-quality passthrough, have dozens of sensors, and enable users to use entertainment and productivity apps on the go.
“I Think That Quest Is The Better Product” – Mark Zuckerberg
Most recently, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has shared his experience with Vision Pro. Not to anyone’s surprise, Zuckerberg highlights several reasons why the Quest 3 is better than Apple’s premium headset. “I don’t just think that Quest is the better value; I think Quest is the better product, period,” says Zuckerberg in a video posted on his official Instagram handle. He states that the Quest 3 is better for most things people use mixed reality for.
In the video, Zuckerberg talks about the high-resolution passthrough capabilities of the Meta Quest 3, similar to that of the Apple Vision Pro. He also mentions that Quest is the better option for those looking to move around while wearing the headset, working out, socializing with friends, etc. It sounds like Zuckerberg is basing his opinion on the fact that Vision Pro requires a wired connection at all times, whereas the Quet 3 has a built-in battery, making movements easier.
Quest 3 Is Lighter And Has A Wider Field Of View
Zuckerberg also mentions that the Quest 3 (515 grams) weighs 120 grams less than the Vision Pro (600 to 650 grams), which makes it more comfortable. Further, he highlights how Quest’s field of view, at 110 degrees, is wider than that of the Vision Pro. Early reviews have also highlighted that Apple’s headset has a narrower field of view. He also finds the Quest’s screen more stable while moving the head around, while the Vision Pro seems to have some kind of motion blur as one moves their head around.
Zuckerberg also mentions that the micro-OLED panels on the Vision Pro have a higher resolution than the LCD screens on the Quest 3. We would also like to add that OLEDs are generally better at managing higher dynamic range and color reproduction, which gives Vision Pro a slight edge. “But, I was surprised by how many trade-offs they had to make to the quality of the device: and the comfort and ergonomics; and other aspects of the display and artifacts in order to get there,” says Zuckerberg.
The Absence Of Controllers Could Be A Problem For Vision Pro, Especially For Games
Even though both handsets support hand tracking, the Meta founder believes that the precision controllers on the Quest 3 should provide users with a better gaming experience. Regarding Apple’s eye-tracking technology, Zuckerberg mentions that the Quest Pro had them, and the company will bring it back in the future, perhaps in the Quest 4. Last but not least, he spoke about Quest’s content library, which is larger than Vision Pro’s. In fact, the former has dedicated apps for YouTube and Xbox.
“There are a lot of people who would just assume that Vision Pro would be higher quality because it is Apple and it costs $3,000 more, but, I’m pretty surprised that Quest is so much better for the vast majority of things that people use these headsets for,” says Zuckerberg while concluding his review of the Apple Vision Pro. He remains positive that the open-model Quest headsets will be much more accessible and easy to work on for developers and, therefore, win in the long term.
Vision Pro’s Successor Is Expected To Arrive In India, But The Timeline Remains Unclear
We believe the Quest 3 has an edge as it has the first-mover advantage. Given that the Vision Pro isn’t available globally, doesn’t have many apps or games built for it, or is seven times more expensive than the Quest 3, it looks like the scales lean in favor of the latter. In India, the Quest 3 with two controllers is available on Amazon for Rs. 49,800. However, there’s no word on when or for what price the Vision Pro or its successor will arrive in the region.
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