Apple Vision Pro versus Meta Quest 3: A Comparison of 2023's Most Anticipated AR/VR Mixed Reality Glasses

Apple finally made it official: The Apple Vision Pro AR/VR (mixed reality) glasses were unveiled during the annual developer event that regularly takes place in early June each year. Interestingly, this announcement was made just a few days after Meta's unveiling of its own future AR/VR glasses - the Quest 3.

Let's take a look at some insights gleaned about Apple Vision Pro within the past few days: 

Recently unveiled at WWDC 2023, Apple Vision Pro is an innovative addition to the Augmented Reality (AR) headset sphere by Apple. This groundbreaking device boasts a high-resolution display, state-of-the-art spatial audio system, and a potent R1 chip, setting a high standard for AR technology.

The Vision Pro's versatility spans across numerous activities: gaming, productivity, creative endeavors, and more. If you're looking to get your hands on one, the Vision Pro has been made available starting at a price point of $3,499. 

Prominent technology publications have shared their take on the Apple Vision Pro: 

The Verge praised the device, saying, "Apple Vision Pro embodies power and adaptability as an AR headset, potentially revolutionizing our interaction with technology." 

CNET recommended it as a worthy investment for those seeking to explore the newest advancements in AR tech, stating, "Apple Vision Pro stands as a superior choice for anyone desiring to engage with cutting-edge AR technology." 

TechCrunch acknowledged it as a firm initial venture into the AR market while keeping in mind the nascent nature of this technology, commenting, "Apple Vision Pro represents a robust debut in the AR domain, though we must remember we're only witnessing the dawn of this technology."

It wouldn't be farfetched to assume that both Meta's Quest 3 and Apple's Vision Pro will be the most popular mixed reality glasses in the coming year, entirely based on Apple's brand influence and Quest 3's succession from Meta Quest 2, currently the most popular (and coincidentally, affordable) VR glasses.

Based on what we've seen and know so far from the announcements, we wanted to make an early comparison of these two products to help you decide which one you might want to buy when they hit the market in your country.

Anticipated differences between the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3: The price of the Apple Vision Pro will be a whopping $3499.99 when it launches in the U.S. early next year, while Quest 3 will be significantly more affordable at $499.99. The Vision Pro will run on VisionOS (based on iOS and its relevant frameworks), while the operating system for Quest 3 will be Android-based.

As Apple's Vision Pro launches a new product line, Meta's Quest 3 is an update over generations to the Quest 2, which has an extensive and established local library of applications and games. The Vision Pro has an external battery, while Quest 3 will likely come with a built-in battery pack. The Vision Pro is a premium pair of glasses made from aluminum and contains a significantly higher number of cameras and advanced technology (as its price would suggest), while the Quest 3 will be made of plastic and focused on affordability.

In the rest of this post, we'll cover:

• Design and Weight
• Display Differences, FOV, IPD Range
• Performance
• Applications and Games
• Cameras
• Controllers and Hand Tracking
• Sound Quality
• Battery and Charging
• Specifications Sheet

Design and Weight

Both the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 are expected to be almost the same in terms of size, and both are anticipated to have a design similar to ski goggles. However, the Vision Pro will have an external battery hanging on it, which may not be as pleasing as forgetting an internal battery as we expect in the Quest 3.

We don't yet know the weight of the Vision Pro, while the Quest 3 is expected to be approximately 509 grams. Both are likely to be lighter and more comfortable than the average VR headsets, although slightly more substantial than modern AR glasses (which typically don't include thick or heavy components). The Apple Vision Pro is made from premium materials, particularly aluminum, which isn't surprising for a very high-end consumer headset.

Meta Quest 3

The Quest 3 will undoubtedly have a much more compact plastic build than its predecessor, with three different modules at the front, two of which hold color transition cameras while the one in the middle has a depth sensor.

Both headsets support replaceable headbands. While the Quest 3 is expected to accommodate users wearing glasses with a "splitter" piece, the Vision Pro headset will require myopic users to purchase special Zeiss lenses that magnetically attach to the headset.

Apple Vision Pro

Display Differences, FOV, IPD Range

The Vision Pro will feature two separate 1.41-inch micro OLED displays for each eye. Their resolutions are expected to be 3000 x 3000 pixels each, significantly higher than most VR headsets currently available. It is worth mentioning that Apple has a long history of creating high-quality displays, and these glasses are not expected to be an exception. Additionally, it will have a varifocal display system, providing a more natural viewing experience by simulating how the eye focuses on objects at different distances.

In contrast, the Meta Quest 3 is anticipated to have a single fast-switch LCD panel split into two sections for each eye. Its resolution is predicted to be 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye, an upgrade from its predecessor, Quest 2. It will also reportedly have a refresh rate of 90Hz for a smooth gaming experience. The Quest 3's display is high quality and improved, but when compared to the Vision Pro, it falls short.

The Field of View (FOV) is a vital aspect of any VR headset. It refers to the extent of the observable environment at a given moment. The Apple Vision Pro is rumored to have an FOV of 110 degrees, while the Meta Quest 3's FOV is expected to be around 100 degrees. Although this is speculation and the actual FOV might vary, a higher FOV generally provides a more immersive experience.

The Interpupillary Distance (IPD) is the distance between the centers of the pupils of the two eyes. Both devices provide solutions for adjustable IPD to cater to users with different IPD ranges. Vision Pro is predicted to offer software-based IPD adjustment, whereas Quest 3 will likely have a mechanical IPD adjustment.

Performance

The Apple Vision Pro runs on Apple M2 chip coupled with an auxiliary chip called "R1" .

On the other hand, the Meta Quest 3 will house a custom Snapdragon XR2 platform developed by Qualcomm specifically for VR/AR headsets, promising superior power and efficiency.

Both devices will likely offer impressive performance, with the Vision Pro possibly edging out due to the custom M2 chip's high capability. However, the software optimization and application support might play a crucial role in the actual user experience.

So what about Applications and Games, Cameras, Controllers and Hand Tracking, Sound Quality, Battery and Charging? Now onto further insights into the comparison between these two exciting AR/VR headsets.

Applications and Games

The Meta Quest 3 has a wide range of applications and games available, including games like Beat Saber, Half-Life: Alyx, and Resident Evil 4 VR. The Apple Vision Pro is still in development, but it is expected to have a similar range of applications and games available. Since Apple's VisionOS is a derivative of iOS, many iOS and iPadOS apps from today will be easily ported to visionOS.

Cameras

The Meta Quest 3 has four cameras on the outside of the headset, which are used for tracking the user's head and hand movements. The Apple Vision Pro has six cameras on the outside of the headset, which are used for tracking the user's head, hand, and body movements.

Controllers and Hand Tracking

The Meta Quest 3 comes with two controllers, which are used for interacting with applications and games. The Apple Vision Pro does not come with controllers, as it uses hand tracking technology. Hand tracking technology allows users to interact with applications and games without using controllers.

Sound Quality

The Meta Quest 3 has built-in speakers, which provide good sound quality. The Apple Vision Pro has no built-in speakers, so users will need to use headphones or earbuds.

Apple Vision Pro

Battery and Charging

The Meta Quest 3 has a battery life of about 2 hours. The Apple Vision Pro also has a battery life of about 2 hours. Both headsets can be charged using a USB-C cable.

Technical Specifications

Features	Apple Vision Pro	Meta Quest 3
Displays	Two, micro OLED, 4K resolution	Single, LCD, 4K resolution (estimated)
FOV	Expected	Expected
IPD range	Expected	Expected
Cameras	12 cameras, color transition	Expected, color transition
Microphones	6 microphones	Expected
Processor	Apple M2 + Apple R1	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2
RAM	Expected	12 GB (estimated)
Storage	Expected	Up to 512GB (estimated)
Operating System	VisionOS	Based on Android 13
Sound	Stereo speakers, Spatial Sound, no headphone jack	Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery size	External, 2 hours battery life	Internal battery
Stand-alone headset	Yes	Yes
VR functionality	Yes	Yes
AR functionality	Yes	Yes
Weight	Expected	Approximately 500 grams (estimated)
Price	$3499	$499.99 for the base model
Release Date	Early 2024	Late 2023, likely September 27

Conclusion

In summary, Apple Vision Pro emerges as a promising new AR/VR (mixed reality) headset with the potential to redefine our technological interaction. Despite the AR technology's infancy, Apple's Vision Pro has made a notable debut.