WWDC23 introduced the world to Apple’s long-awaited mixed reality headset – the Apple Vision Pro. With stunning design and jaw-dropping features, Vision Pro is the next definition of virtual reality. Like Tim Cook said, “It’s the first Apple product you look through, and not at.”

This might sound unpleasant to Apple, but Meta has been the frontrunner in the AR/VR sphere for a few years. The latter released the Quest 3 headset just a few days before WWDC23. Speculated to host an array of upgrades to Quest 2, the Quest 3 will likely come face-to-face with Apple Vision Pro. Naturally, everyone wants to know what’s better – Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest 3.

So, we have tried to analyze the Vision Pro and Quest 3 on multiple parameters, like price, build and battery life, performance, OS, content, and display. This extensive comparison should help you decide what you should get!

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Design

The most important aspect of any AR/VR headset is its design, followed by the comfort it provides. Let’s break down each element of the design language to see which one stands out.

Apple Vision Pro

For years, millions have loved Apple for its groundbreaking design sensibility that comes out vividly in its products. The same applies to Vision Pro – it’s got a near-perfect design. If we go by the first look, the headset resembles a curved iPhone sprinkled with some elements of the Apple Watch (like the digital crown). 

Made of an aluminum alloy frame, the upcoming headsets support a stunning display wrapped beneath a curved pane of 3D laminated glass. In addition, the device includes a stack of 12 cameras and six microphones to ensure hands-free control using eyes, hands, and voice.

The modular design of the frame ensures that the Light Seal (facial interface per Meta) fits on your face seamlessly. Further, Apple’s Vision Pro houses an external screen feature called EyeSight that makes the eyes and expressions of the headset wearer visible to others. It turns on automatically when it senses someone in proximity to the wearer. Also, the wearer sees the outside world in full detail. That’s commendable, indeed!  

The Apple headset has a 3D knitted fabric-based Head Band, which has a customizable locking solution. Here, you will also find the audio pods offering an immersive spatial audio experience. On the top, the Vision Pro has the action button that takes spatial photos and videos, while the other button is the crown that helps you control the immersion level in Vision Pro’s “Environments.”   

Note: Environments are immersive virtual landscapes that surround the Vision Pro user within the virtual ecosystem.

Meta Quest 3

Contrarily, Meta Quest 3 will have a 40% slimmer frame than Quest 2. Despite this, Quest 3 headsets do not stand a chance against the sleek frame of Apple Vision Pro. The device might house external cameras and a depth sensor to power full-color augmented reality passthrough. However, it will not have an external screen to show your face while you wear it.

Like its predecessor, Quest 3 will support finger and hand gestures. Also, rumors suggest that Meta might pair the headset with advanced motion controllers designed for games and intuitive games.  

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Display

In its WWDC 2023 Keynote event, Apple revealed that the Vision Pro would house dual micro-OLED screens with a total of over 23 million pixels. Claimed to offer a “better-than-4K” resolution, the headsets promise an uncompromising detailed viewing experience. The 3D layered user interface seamlessly places tech on top of your natural surroundings.

The dynamic nature of the overlay ensures that it reacts to light and casts virtual shadows on surfaces. In addition, the LiDAR sensor and front cameras give 3D mapping of your outer world. The experience is so impactful that it blurs the line between real and virtual ecosystems.

Regarding display, Meta has not revealed anything significant yet. However, claims suggest that the users will enjoy a crispier display in the Quest 3, better than the 1,832 x 1,920 display offered by Quest 2.

FYI, unlike the Apple Vision Pro, the Quest 2 did not provide 4K resolution for each eye.

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Software and key areas of focus  

Software is another significant difference between Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. Apple is promoting the technology behind Vision Pro as Spatial Computing. It focuses on productivity, entertainment, and gaming. To ensure excellence, Apple has created a dedicated operating system named visionOS for its AR/VR headsets.

Vision Pro headsets are packed with features like the revamped App Store, immersive environments, and 3-D interface. Further, the device will be a blessing for online gamers. It will allow them to enjoy Apple Arcade games on floating, flat screens. To everybody’s surprise, Apple is looking forward to creating new AR/VR games for its headsets and has rolled out multiple APIs for third-party developers to work on.

On the other hand, the Meta Quest ecosystem is a gamer’s heaven. It boasts an array of intuitive VR games, including top names like Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, Resident Evil 4, and Superhot VR. Meta is planning to offer a better gaming experience in Quest 3. Also, the brand is willing to experiment with AR games in its upcoming headset.  

Precisely, the work alignment for both Vision Pro and Quest 3 will be pretty similar. Users can employ them to access apps/websites and stream movies/TV shows in a real-like virtual environment. Interestingly, the Apple Vision Pro unlocks your access to the iOS ecosystem. Unfortunately, Meta does not host such a diverse pool of features.   

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Battery and performance  

Apple’s Vision Pro houses an M2 processor and a new R1 chip to manage the data wired from cameras and sensors. For batteries, both Vision Pro and Quest 3 come with a plug-in battery pack. Apple’s device offers 2 hours of battery life, while Meta claims their headset can run for up to 3 hours on a single charge.

These compact packs are handy and easy to carry in a pocket. However, you can use a wall plug to keep the gadget running longer.  

The Meta Quest 3 is likely to have the Snapdragon Qualcomm XR2 chip. Users will get twice the graphics performance as the previous version, Quest 2. Like other features, there is little to no information about Quest 3’s battery support. FYI, Quest 2 offers a maximum of 3 hours of battery support on a full charge. There is also a special Elite Strap that doubles the uptime when plugged with a battery pack.   

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Price 

With the Vision Pro announcement, Apple has finally played its first card against its competitors in the AR/VR war. While the mixed reality gadget is already winning hearts for its outstanding features, its hefty price tag has stunned the Apple fam. The device is likely to go live next year for $3,499. Now, you need to love Apple a lot to spend a whopping amount on a headset.   

In comparison, Meta adopts a customer-friendly price range for Quest products. Rumors suggest that the Quest 3 will go public at $500, which is one-seventh of the price of Vision Pro. The current price of Quest 2 is $300. 

So, does Apple have what it takes to justify its price tag? Or will Meta win the race just because it is pocket-friendly? Only time will tell. We can’t wait for 2024!

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Release date

Apple has said that the Vision Pro headsets will be available early next year, i.e., 2024. It’s quite unusual for Apple to just throw a vague release date into the air. But for what they are promising, it’s okay if they take some more time to perfect it.

Meta, on the other hand, is ready to launch its Quest 3 by the end of 2023. Just trying to beat the clock, maybe!

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – What’s our take?  

It won’t be justified to compare Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 as of now. This is because we still don’t have a complete list of specs and features for both gadgets. Moreover, before drawing conclusions, we must learn about the apps and games expected to be available on each device at the launch.

The Apple Vision Pro is a perfect combination of design and performance. With its cutting-edge technology, AR/VR headsets blur the line between the real and virtual worlds. Its super-savvy features, robust power support, battery, better-than-4K display, and integration into Apple’s ecosystem – earn Vision Pro a big thumbs up. However, the hefty price of $3,499 might bog down most people.

Meta Quest 3 takes a big lead against Vision Pro with its pocket-friendly price tag. The upcoming device will be an upgraded version of Quest 2 and will include new features like support for AR games, better resolution, etc. Further, Meta is promoting Quest 3 as a gaming device, which is not the case with Apple’s headset.   

Let’s wait for the official release of the two headsets for a more on-point Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 comparison. Stay tuned with us for the latest updates. 

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