Apple Vision Pro
Apple’s Contender.
The Apple Vision Pro is a premium mixed-reality headset with advanced features like high-resolution micro-OLED displays, personalized spatial audio, and a robust ecosystem integration, ideal for top-tier AR applications.
Meta Quest 3
The Prodigal Son
Meta’s Quest 3 is the company’s next generation of headset, building on the Quest 2 and the Quest Pro. The Quest 3 has an improved display which includes a “blended” mode, allowing the user to see the real world around them without leaving their virtual one. There are two models available, one with 128GB of storage, and another with 512GB.
Quick Links
Up until now, we only had theMeta Quest 3as the reigning champ of the VR headset space. The undisputed king of delivering premium VR experiences at an affordable rate. But things have changed. With the release of Apple’s highly-anticipated Vision Pro this month, we now have a challenger in the blue corner.
This showdown between the Vision Pro and Quest 3 puts two heavyweights against each other. Both promise some serious immersion, but with very different philosophies. So we’re here to break down how these two stacked up across various categories like visual fidelity, processing capabilities, and more. Check it out below.
Display And Visuals
Frankly speaking, theApple Vision Pro’s micro-OLED displaysare a marvel of engineering, boasting an impressive resolution of approximately3660x3142 pixels per eye, which very obviously surpasses the 4K standard. The level of detail you get here ensures that text, images, and videos are rendered with exceptional clarity and sharpness.
Thecolor accuracy of these displays is another standout feature,with Apple calibrating them at the factory to achieve vibrant and true-to-life colors, all the while avoiding any oversaturated visuals.
The Vision Pro also supports a wide color gamut with 92% DCI-P3 coverage, andoffers variablerefresh rates of 90Hz, 96Hz, and 100Hz.
But don’t let that dazzle you too much, cause, on the other hand, we have theMeta Quest 3, which uses a4K+ Infinite Display (LCD) with a resolution of 2064x2208 pixels per eye. One thing to note here is that the Quest compensates for its “inferior” video quality by offering awider range of refreshrates,including 72Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, and up to 120Hz.
Also, the Quest 3 already has a lot of user-centric features that have been designed to make VR more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. For example, it includes aColor Correction setting that helps accommodate users with color vision deficiencies, which is just one of the many ways Meta is committing to inclusivity.
Processing Power
So the Vision Pro comesequipped with the M2 chip, which is a powerhouse in its own right, featuring an 8-core CPU that’s divided into four performance cores and four efficiency cores.This configuration was designed to balance high-speed processing with energy efficiency.
But the M2 chip doesn’t work alone. No sir. It’s actuallypaired with the new R1 chip, which is specifically dedicated to processing input from the Pro’s cameras, sensors, and microphones. This means that complex tasks like real-time sensor processing, streaming images to the displays, etc. don’t take more than amere 12 milliseconds.
The Vision Pro also boasts a10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, which means that it’s well-equipped for machine learning tasks. Now this could include anything from voice recognition to predictive algorithms that enhance the user experience. And in terms of memory, the Vision Pro comes with 16GB of unified memory, whichshouldgive you ample bandwidth for multitasking and running complex applications without facing too many problems. Storage options are generous, with256GB, 512GB, and a whopping 1TB available.
Coming to the other side of the deck, the Meta Quest 3 is powered by theSnapdragonXR2 Gen 2 platform. A respectable choice indeed. The processor is a follow-up to the already impressive XR2 and is designed to delivermore than twice the graphics processing performance of the previous model.
With8GB of RAM, the Quest 3 has enough memory to ensure a smooth user experience (although it’s basically half of what the Vision Pro offers). This difference in RAM could impact how well each device handles multiple applications or particularly demanding software. There’s also the fact that theQuest 3’s storage options are more modest, with 128GB and 512GB variants, whichshouldstill be sufficient for a vast library of VR content butmay not satisfy users who are heavy media consumers or who work with large files.
Cameras And Sensors
Not gonna lie, the Apple’s Vision Pro is quite the powerhouse when it comes to cameras and sensors. It’s decked out with atotal of 14 cameras, including six for world-tracking, four for eye-tracking, and a TrueDepth camerato capture your facial expressions in detail. PLUS, it’s got aLiDAR Scanner to map out your environment in 3D,which is pretty nifty for spatial perception.
The Vision Pro’s cameras and sensors are a big part of what Apple calls “spatial computing.” They help the device understand where you are and what you’re doing, whether you’re moving around, tilting your head, or using hand gestures. All thanks to theadditional IR and invisible LED illuminators that work even in low-light conditions, by the way.
Switching gears to the Meta Quest 3, this headset may not have the same sensor count as the Vision Pro,butmake no mistake, it’s still pretty darn cool. Thesix camera sensors lay the groundwork for some solid VR experiences, with tracking and boundary detection for added safety.
The Vision Pro goes all out with a sensor suite that’s hard to beat, while the Quest 3 keeps it solid with essential tracking features andthe added bonus of color passthrough for a more integrated mixed reality experience.
Design And Build
Apple always comes in hot with their signature style of blending advanced technology with a refined aesthetic that’s unmistakably… Apple, and it doesn’t look like anything changed in that department for the Vision Pro. The headset’s frame is acustom aluminum alloy,which makes sense cause it’s bothstrong and lightweight. Now, this setup isseamlessly integrated with a singular piece of 3D formed laminated glass.And the glass isn’t just for show either; it’s actually a functional part of the headset, acting as an optical surface for the cameras and sensors.
The Meta Quest 3 takes a different approach, focusing on practicality without compromising on style. Itsplastic constructionis a nod to the need for a lightweight and durable device that can withstand the wear and tear of regular use.
Thepancake lenses contribute to a slimmer profilefor sure, reducing the bulkiness that you see in a lot of VR headsets out there. This design choice here not only improves the look of the device, but also enhances the user’s comfort, especially during extended use.
Weighing in at 600–650 grams without the battery,the Vision Pro is on the heavier side, but then again, the weight is a direct result of its premium build factor and the advanced technology it houses. On the flip side, theMeta Quest 3 offers a lighter weight of 515 grams,thanks to the all-plastic form.
Additional Features
Running on visionOS, the Pro is gonna offer you a user experience that is both futuristic and familiar. Theeye-tracking, in particular, is a game-changer, allowing for navigation and selection in a way that feels almost telepathic.Imagine looking at an app to select it or glancing at a notification to expand it—this is the level of control that the Vision Pro aims to provide.
Hand tracking and voice commands complement this by offering more direct and tangible ways to interact with the digital environment, whether you’re sculpting a 3D model with your hands or asking Siri to send a message.The inclusion of Optic ID is another brilliant touch. The iris-based authentication systemnot only secures your personal data but also streamlines the process of making purchases and signing in to apps.It’s like this personal touch that adds a layer of security while also making the device feel like it’s truly yours.
The Quest 3 is no slouch either. For example, it has a convenient feature that allows users to quicklyswitch to a view of their real-world surroundings by double-tapping the side of the headset.This enhances safety and convenience, enabling users to stay aware of their environment without removing the headset. And like we mentioned earlier, it also includes a Color Correction setting for four types of color blindness, making the headset more accessible and inclusive. Also, you can justconnect the thing to a PCif you’re ever feeling like expanding your library… or just feeling like running a really intense game.
Audio
When it comes to audio, the Pro and Quest are pretty evenly matched. Both headsets support spatial audio, with theVision Pro offering personalized spatial audio and audio ray tracing.Personalized spatial audio basically tailors the sound experience to each individual user by considering the unique shape and size of their head and ears (don’t ask how that works). Thecustomization ensures that audio cues are delivered in a way that almost perfectly mimics how sound would naturally interact with the user’s body.
Audio ray tracing takes this a step further by simulating how sound behaves in a virtual space. This practically accounts for the geometry and materials within the virtual environment, adjusting how sound waves bounce, absorb, or pass through objects, all that boring stuff. But the end result is quite cool, so we can’t complain.
The Quest 3 does have an improved volume output though, and you can hook up practically any pair of headphones you want via a 3.5mm headphone jack or Bluetooth 5.2. This is something that you can’t do with the Pro. At best, you can get yourself the 2nd gen AirPods and connect them, but outside of that, the ability to connect to third-party headsets is pretty much thumbs down. Also, in terms of connectivity, the Vision Pro has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, while the Quest 3 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.
Pricing
Okay, so the Apple Vision Pro is basically positioned as a premium product, with a starting price of$3,499 for the 256GB model.Yeah, the illusion kinda shatters when you realize just how much money that is for just a small degree of improvement.
In contrast, the Meta Quest 3 is much more accessible in terms of price, starting at$499 for the 128GB model.This makes it an attractive option for a broader audience, like gamers and VR enthusiasts who are looking for a high-quality experience without the premium price tag.
To sweeten the pot a little more, Meta also offers a 512GB model of the Quest 3, priced at $649.99, which includes a six-month trial of Meta Quest+, a subscription service that provides two free games every month and offers discounts on other store items.
Conclusion
You had to read through all of that, so we’re gonna get straight to the point here. Ultimately, the decision between the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3 comes down to individual preferences and priorities. If you’re someone who is looking for a premium AR and VR experience with state-of-the-art features, the Apple Vision Pro is the way to go. However, if you’re just here for an immersive gaming experience at a more accessible price point, the Meta Quest 3 is an excellent choice.
