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:
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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