Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3: How the tech giants’ headsets stack up against each other

Fierce competition has arisen between Apple and Meta as both tech giants released groundbreaking virtual reality devices in a week.

Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the Vision Pro headset yesterday at a timely event in California – just four days after Mark Zuckerberg launched Quest 3.

“Revolutionary” and “never seen before” are some of the words used to describe both products as the firms battle to prove their product is worth the hype.

Despite their similar capabilities, there are several key differences between the two, with Vision Pro costing around seven times more than Quest 3.

So how do they stack up against each other? MailOnline reveals everything you need to know.

SKILLS

The Meta Quest 3 is called a “virtual and mixed reality” piece, while Apple’s Vision Pro is a “spatial computer” – but are there any real differences?

Both headsets seamlessly blend the digital and physical worlds, whether at work or playing a game.

Their mixed reality focuses allow users to interact with digital objects in a real world space as if they were actually there in person.

Imaginary and completely new worlds can also be viewed through the Quest 3 and Vision Pro, thanks to their VR capabilities.

Still, there are rumors that the Quest 3 with pancake lens will be more limited in its handling.

While Apple has confirmed that a user’s voice, body, and eye movements can control their own headset, this may not be the case for Meta.

Last year, YouTuber Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) leaked what he claimed were drafts of the upcoming Quest headset.

He was surprised by the headset’s lack of eye-tracking technology, despite Zuckerberg’s eager visions of 2022.

“I think right now it’s probably more important to speed up mixed reality development than just implement iron face tracking into actual consumer devices,” he said.

So a big focus on AR and VR here, not a big focus on social experiences that will probably be pushed to the more expensive devices.

“As these things get cheaper, newer chips can add more camera bandwidth. But for now, big surprise, there is no IR face tracking built into Quest 3 of the current prototype images.”

MailOnline has approached Meta for comment.

While the Vision Pro also offers better-than-4k image resolution for its headset, it’s currently uncertain what quality the Meta Quest 3 will offer.

Bosses have confirmed that Quest 3 will be a step up from Quest 2 – which lags behind the 4K resolution per eye – but only time will tell.

COST

At $499 in the US and £499 in the UK, Meta offers an ‘affordable’ route to VR, while the Vision Pro starts at $3,499 (UK price to be announced).

This makes Apple’s headset about seven times more expensive than Meta’s, with Zuckerberg also lowering the cost of Quest 2 to $299.99.

Meta said, “While Quest 3 sets a new standard for mixed reality, immersive gaming and what a mainstream VR headset can be, Quest 2 remains our most affordable entry point into VR and Pro is optimized for work use, face and eye.” tracking for more authentic self-expression during meetings.

“We will continue to sell Quest 2 and Pro in addition to Quest 3, and continue to provide new software updates to make the Quest experience even better.”

GOAL

While both devices can be used to access apps, websites, and entertainment, their target audiences seem slightly different.

In its promotional materials, Quest 3 is portrayed primarily as a gaming device, with Meta already having a library of over 500 VR games.

Meanwhile, Apple bragged about the Vision Pro’s productivity tools, with ads highlighting its use expanding workspaces.

Importantly, Apple has shown App Store games will be available on the device, alongside new immersive experiences like ‘Explore The Cosmos’.

But this wasn’t the focus after Apple’s launch in California yesterday.

Apple said: “Apple Vision Pro empowers users to be even more productive, with endless screen real estate, access to their favorite apps and all-new ways to multitask. And with support for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, users can set up the perfect workspace or wirelessly integrate the powerful capabilities of their Mac into Vision Pro, creating a huge, private, portable 4K display with incredibly sharp text.”

COMFORTABILITY AND PRACTICE

Meta claims its Quest 3 headset is 40 percent slimmer and more comfortable than previous models.

This announcement follows numerous previous complaints that other models were “unbearable” to wear because the strap was “pretty awful.”

One Reddit user said, “No matter how I adjust the straps, no matter how much adjustment I do, I can only wear it for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time, until the pain becomes too excruciating and distracting.”

“It’s the back of my head, the sides and my forehead, sometimes just parts of it depending on how I adjust the strap, but it always hurts and it’s pretty awful. My forehead also almost always turns into a red spot when I wear it.’

The company has also redesigned its Quest 3 Touch Plus controllers – adding features that can improve tracking technology – to be more “streamlined”.

Meanwhile, Apple is also showing off a soft “Light Seal” headband that comes in a variety of sizes and conforms “to a user’s face for a precise fit.”

The company said: ‘Flexible straps keep sound close to the user’s ears, while a headband – available in multiple sizes – is knitted in a 3-dimensional one piece to provide cushioning, breathability and stretch.

“The band is secured with a simple mechanism, making it easy to switch to a different size or style of band.”

While Meta Quest 2 has an adjustable headband, it’s not yet clear if they’ll expand their size range further.

RELEASE DATA

While both tech giants have now revealed which VR projects they are working on, they are not yet in stores.

It’s not yet known when the Meta Quest 3 will go on sale, but more details are expected in September.

Apple has confirmed that its Vision Pro will hit the US market early next year before being sold around the world.