META QUEST 3 vs APPLE VISION PRO

When the Apple Vision Pro was launched on the market, one of the most anticipated reactions was that of Mark Zuckerberg. After trying them out, the president of Meta, who had released his own mixed reality glasses, the Meta Quest 3, just a few months earlier, posted a video on one of the company’s social media platforms that left no doubt about his opinion on the winner of the battle between Meta Quest 3 vs Apple Vision Pro. Zuckerberg began by saying that before trying the Vision Pro, he thought the Quest 3 glasses would offer better “value,” meaning they would be better in terms of quality-price ratio since they are very good and cost seven times less than Apple’s offering. However, he explained that after using both, he was convinced that the Meta Quest 3 not only offers better value for money than the Apple Vision Pro but is also “a better product, period.” As expected, Zuckerberg’s words caused quite a stir, and it wasn’t long before someone responded. One of the most notable counteropinions came from analyst Benedict Evans, who said that the Vision Pro glasses are what Meta’s device would like to be in 3-5 years. The head of Meta quickly fired back, maintaining that his device is better and that if, in the future, Quest had the motion blur, weight, or lack of precise inputs of the Vision Pro, it would represent a significant step backward for Meta. Basically, Zuckerberg’s argument for claiming that his mixed reality glasses are better is that if we compare the Meta Quest 3 with the Vision Pro, we will see that they can do the same thing, but at a much more affordable price, and he also believes with more comfort and freedom of movement. But how true is all of this? To what extent is Mark Zuckerberg right or not? To try to answer these questions, let’s compare the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro and see what the greatest strengths and weaknesses of each are.

Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro: Who’s Who

Meta Quest 3 is the latest version of the mixed reality glasses Meta Quest Pro, developed by Reality Labs, formerly Oculus VR, pioneers in the development of virtual reality technology. It is an evolution of the Quest 2 VR device, to which elements of the Quest Pro have been added, such as “passthrough” cameras (what Meta calls “external focus”) to switch from a virtual reality view to an augmented reality view, i.e., combining the real environment with virtual elements. Quest 3 can be used as standalone VR glasses or as a VR device connected to a PC, so that the computer’s content is virtually overlaid on a physical environment in real-time. Zuckerberg’s company’s glasses were released internationally in October 2023, and it is estimated that between 900,000 and 1.5 million units were sold in the last quarter of the year. Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s first foray into the world of mixed reality. After years of considering the idea, the company presented this new device at its annual conference in June 2023. They went on sale in February 2024, but only in the United States. About 200,000 units were ordered, and although sales have slowed after the initial launch boom, it is expected that around 350,000 units will be sold this year, a figure expected to triple next year. Apple has marketed its mixed reality glasses not as a device that combines VR and AR experiences but as something entirely new. They have introduced the concept of “spatial computer,” although, for some analysts, integrating digital elements into the physical world is the same as augmented reality. To interact with the device, various physical inputs from the user are used, such as gestures, eye movement, or voice.

Quest 3 vs. Vision Pro Comparison

To compare the Quest 3 vs. Vision Pro devices, let’s first take a look at the features of each, how they are similar, and how they differ.

DESCRIPTION	META QUEST 3	APPLE VISION PRO
Screen Resolution	2064 x 2208 LCD, 120 Hz	2160 x 3840 Micro OLED, 100Hz
Lens Type	Pancake	Pancake
Weight	513 g.	600-650 g.
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2	Apple R1 and M2
Controllers	Touch Plus, hand movement	No controllers, controlled by eye and hand movement
Battery Life	Up to 2 hours unplugged	Up to 2 hours unplugged
Price	Approx. $499	Approx. $3,499

Looking at the description of each device, it’s clear that there are areas where there is no comparison between Quest 3 and Vision Pro. The most obvious is the price, which clearly determines who can access each product. But, for example, if we talk about the image resolution offered by the Vision Pro, there’s no comparison. The graphical quality of Apple’s device, even though the Quest 3’s is more than acceptable, is far superior. Another key point in the Quest 3 vs. Vision Pro showdown is weight. The Meta device is significantly lighter; bearing an additional 100 grams on your head for an extended period is noticeable. Moreover, although it may seem that not having controllers gives more freedom of movement, in general, according to those who have tried both devices, Quest 3 offers more control and is more comfortable. In terms of design, while Quest 3 may be more functional, from an industrial engineering standpoint, Vision Pro wins the battle. The X-ray company Lumafield scanned both devices to see what they are like inside without destroying them and concluded that in Apple’s hardware, everything is thought out and measured down to the millimeter to achieve the best results.

Quest 3 or Vision Pro, Which is Better?

When asked which device is better, Quest 3 or Vision Pro, the general verdict from experts is quite balanced: it depends on what you want to use the mixed reality glasses for. CNET analyst Scott Stein explains it in a way that’s easy to understand for those familiar with Apple products. Just as many opted for iOS operating systems to develop certain professions, especially those related to visual fields like design or video editing, Apple Vision Pro is more focused on work. Its image quality is better, and so are its multitasking capabilities. Can Quest 3 also be used for work? Yes, but it’s far from the level of Vision Pro and isn’t really designed for that purpose. However, if you want to use the mixed reality device for physical activities like sports or for entertainment, especially for gaming, then Meta Quest 3 is not only more than sufficient, but it could even be said to be better. It’s a lighter and easier device to carry and use. In any case, both devices bring mixed reality, virtual and augmented, closer to everyday user access. It will increasingly become more common to access these types of experiences that demand 3D virtual content. At Many·Worlds, we help you transform your business or project into part of this new way of seeing the world. Get in contact with us, and we’ll make it a reality.