Apple vision pro and Meta Quest 3 both options have been available to the public for a little while now, and both have made quite an impact on consumers. The Meta Quest 3 is easily the best headset Meta has created so far. On the other hand, Apple’s proprietary XR headset is revolutionary in its own way. But with its hefty price tag, it’s not as accessible as the Quest 3 for most people. Still, pricing aside, which headset is worth investing in, and why? We put the two devices head-to-head to give you our honest opinion!
Apple Vision Pro : Apple Store
Meta Quest 3 : Buy on Amazon
Apple Vision Pro Accessories : Amazon
Meta Quest 3 Accessories : Amazon
The Design :
If we were rating the Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro on looks alone, Apple’s headset would win. Its design is a lot sleeker and more futuristic. Plus, it comes with features Meta hasn’t been able to replicate. For instance, the 3D laminated glass can reflect an image of your eyes to the people around you. That might be a weird feature, but it’s still a differentiator. Still, looks aren’t everything, The Quest 3 balances weight more effectively on your head and ensures you can continue using it for longer periods. That being said, the strap isn’t the best. We’d advise upgrading to an Elite strap for a snugger fit if you can afford it. The problem with the Vision Pro is that it’s not just heavier – it also carries all of its weight on the front due to the lack of a built-in battery. One thing Apple does do a little better than Meta is tailor its headset to your face. You can upload a scan of your face to Apple’s store, and they’ll custom-fit the headset for you. They even recommend the right light shields for extra comfort.
Apple Vision Pro Accessories : Amazon
Meta Quest 3 Accessories : Amazon
Displays & Audio :
The Quest 3 gives you a significant upgrade in visual performance. You get 2064 x 2206 pixels per eye at refresh rates up to 120Hz. Plus, even in passthrough mode, the Quest 3 delivers ten times more pixels than the Quest 2. The Quest 3 even outshines the enterprise-grade Meta Quest Pro in visual performance, but it still struggles to compete with the Apple Vision Pro. With the Vision Pro, you get around a 4K level of fidelity per eye at a refresh rate of 100Hz. Apple’s spatial experience is pretty impressive, too, with relatively solid and clear sounds and great positioning. Plus, you can easily communicate with colleagues through the six beamforming microphones. However, both headsets felt a little lacking to us in terms of overall volume and audio performance. There are more powerful options out there.
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Hand/Eye Tracking Functionality :
One major difference between the extended reality experiences offered by Apple and Meta is the way they approach controls. While Apple allows you to connect external controllers and keyboards, the core experience is hands-free. The headset comes with five sensors for eye-tracking, 12 cameras, six microphones, and a range of other features to help you control content naturally. However, the Quest 3 doesn’t support eye tracking, so you have less control when interacting with content hands-free. The eye and hand tracking on the Apple Vision Pro are phenomenal, whereas the hand tracking on the Quest 3 is a little unreliable.
Performance :
Apple’s proprietary approach to developing its own chips and operating system for the Vision Pro certainly shines through in its performance.The R1 and M2 processors in the headset offer exceptional, consistent performance, regardless of which apps you’re using. Plus, it’s worth noting that the Vision Pro excels at multi-tasking, which makes it a better tool for business users, in our opinion. The Meta Quest 3 , with its Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, is impressive, delivering 2.5 times the performance you’d get on the Quest 2. However, I encountered more issues with lag when using this headset. Notably, though, the Quest 3 is a little more flexible right now in terms of its overall ecosystem.
Softwere & Content :
We would have given Meta the win here because Meta’s range of available apps for the Quest 3 is much bigger. However, Apple is making serious strides in this area, working with developers and innovators to introduce a wide range of new experiences. The biggest difference for me is who the software and content available from both companies aim to support. Gaming is a little better on the Meta Quest 3 because so many entertainment-focused apps are available. However, watching videos and watching movies on Vision Pro is better.
Battery Life :
Finally, we come to a bit of a stalemate in this Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 review: battery life. Both companies claim that their headsets can offer between 2-3 hours of battery life as standalone headsets. The biggest problem with the Apple Vision Pro is that the battery pack is external. You need to charge this battery separately, connect it to your headset, and keep it in your pocket when interacting with the device. It all feels a little awkward overall. The Quest 3 doesn’t have the same issue. You can simply pop the headset and controllers onto a charger and dive into mixed reality without wires getting in the way.
Apple Vision Pro Accessories : Amazon
Meta Quest 3 Accessories : Amazon
Our Quick Verdict :
The Apple Vision Pro is for business users looking for a next-level mixed reality experience, with cutting-edge spatial computing features, and great visual clarity. The Meta Quest 3 is For everyday consumers, in search of comfort, affordability, ease of use, and a wide range of gaming apps.