Meta Quest 3 (left) and Apple Vision Pro (right)
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When choosing between Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, users are faced with two amazing technologies at completely different price points. Here's how they add up.
Apple Vision Pro was first introduced on June 5, 2023 and went on sale on February 2, 2024. Looking at it, it becomes clear that this is an Apple product, the design of which uses elements of the iPad, iPhone and other devices. AirPods Max.
Meta Quest 3 officially debuted on June 1, 2023, and then hit the market on October 10, 2023, offering users access to its advanced features and capabilities.
Apple Vision Pro has a sleek, high-quality aluminum and glass frame on the outside and boasts deep integration with the Apple ecosystem on the inside. In contrast, the Meta Quest 3 is affordable and versatile, featuring a more pragmatic plastic design focused on portability and comfort.
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Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 – Specifications
| Specifications | Apple Vision Pro | Meta Quest 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (starting) | USD 3,499.00 | USD 499.99 |
| Display technology | micro-OLED | 4K+ Infinity Display (LCD) |
| Screen resolution | Approximate resolution 3660×3142 per eye | 2064×2208 pixels per eye |
| Refresh rate | Variable (90 Hz, 96 Hz, 100 Hz) | Variable (72 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz) |
| Processor | M2, R1 | Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| Memory | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 512 GB |
| IPD | Adjustable (from 51 to 75 mm) | Adjustable (from 53 up to 75 mm) |
| Field of view | Approximately 100 degrees (horizontal) | 110 degrees (horizontal) and 96 degrees (vertical) |
| Weight | 600-650 grams | 515 grams |
| Battery life | Up to 2 hours (typical use) | Up to 2.2 hours (typical use) |
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 – design and weight
When comparing Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 both headsets take different approaches to design and ergonomics.
Vision Pro is a headset designed for comfort and long-lasting use. It weighs between 21.2 and 22.9 ounces (600 and 650 grams), while the Meta Quest 3 is lighter at 515 grams.
Vision Pro is a headset designed for comfortable and long-term use.
The main body of the Meta Quest 3 is made of plastic, while Apple chose an aluminum frame and glass. Any Apple Vision Pro has one of several different Light Seal options installed at the time of purchase, as well as two customizable headbands in the box, made of soft textile and knitted fabric.
Meta Quest 3 Strap
In contrast, the Meta Quest 3 offers a variety of materials and accessories, such as a standard face interface, an antimicrobial VR case with foam lining, and a separate silicone face interface.
Meta Quest 3
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While both headsets feature ergonomic designs aimed at maximizing user comfort, the choice between them ultimately comes down to individual preference. Some users may prefer the sleek and premium look of the Apple Vision Pro, while others may prefer the lightweight and practical design of the Meta Quest 3.
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 – Display
Apple Vision Pro uses micro-OLED technology, known for its exceptional image quality and high pixel density. Meta Quest 3, on the other hand, features a 4K+ infinity display using LCD technology.
Vision Pro boasts an impressive 23 million pixels with a 7.5 micron pixel pitch, delivering detailed and clear images. While Apple has not officially revealed the resolution of the Vision Pro, it is estimated to be 3660 x 3142.
The Quest 3's resolution is not as high as the Vision Pro
Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 has a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye.
The Meta Quest 3 display offers 25 pixels per degree (PPD) and 1218 pixels per inch (PPI), delivering the highest resolution in the Quest lineup for an immersive virtual reality experience. While Apple hasn't shared such information, it does claim that the Vision Pro has a pixel pitch of 7.5 microns.
However, Meta does not specify a specific pixel pitch for the Quest 3. A smaller pixel pitch often means higher pixel density, improving image quality by increasing the number of pixels in a given area for a sharper, more detailed image.
Apple Vision Pro uses micro-OLED technology
Vision Pro supports a wide color gamut with 92% DCI-P3 coverage, providing rich and accurate color reproduction. Although not specified, the Meta Quest 3's color reproduction will likely be high given its advanced display technology.
In addition, Vision Pro supports multiple refresh rates, including 90Hz, 96Hz and 100Hz, to ensure smooth motion and reduce blur. Meta Quest 3 offers a wide range of refresh rates — 72 Hz, 80 Hz, 90 Hz and 120 Hz – meeting different virtual reality requirements and improving the overall visual experience.
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 offer adaptable interpupillary distance (IPD) settings. IPD is the measurement between the centers of the pupils of the eyes and is critical to image alignment in headsets for optimal clarity and comfort.
IPD Vision Pro adjustment ranges from 51 mm to 75 mm, which suits a wide range of users. In contrast, the Quest 3 has a near-precise IPD range of 53 to 75mm and a mechanical adjustment wheel for precise and comfortable lens spacing.
Meta Quest 3 boasts an impressive field of view (FOV) of 110 degrees horizontally and 96 degrees vertically, greatly enhancing the immersive virtual experience. In contrast, Apple Vision Pro offers a horizontal field of view of approximately 100 degrees, as suggested at Apple's developer session, although the vertical field of view remains undisclosed by Apple.
Field of view is the most important indicator in the field of virtual and augmented reality. It determines the user's degree of visual awareness in the headset, indicating how much of the virtual or augmented environment they can see. A wider viewing angle provides a more immersive experience by expanding a person's peripheral vision.
Apple Vision Pro surpasses the Meta Quest 3 largely due to its innovative micro-OLED technology, which provides superior image quality and pixel density. It offers visuals that are not only clear and detailed, but also rich in color.
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 – Computing Power
The Meta Quest 3 headset is equipped with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip. Significant gains in graphics processing compared to previous generations of VR-focused Snapdragon processors result in faster loading times and gameplay with fewer compromises.
The Quest 3 did make us a little queasy after using the pass-through mode
What's more, the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip enables advanced features such as seamless high-resolution full-color printing pass-through resolution and reliable support for heavy applications.
On the other hand, the Apple Vision Pro M2 chip is a powerful system-on-chip with an 8-core processor, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 16 GB of unified memory. It also has an “R1” chip.
Meta Quest 3
The Apple R1 chip is well suited for applications where low latency and high data transfer rates are critical. The R1 chip has low latency (12 milliseconds) for photonic communication and an impressive 256 GB/s memory bandwidth.
However, it's important to note that the R1 chip serves a specific purpose that doesn't directly compete with the functionality of the Meta Quest 3 headset or the Apple Vision Pro M2 chip.
While both chips provide excellent performance for virtual reality applications, the integration of the M2 chip into the Apple ecosystem provides unique advantages in terms of software optimization and compatibility.
Apple Vision Pro vs. Meta Quest 3 – Cameras
Apple Vision Pro is equipped with cameras and sensors, including a stereoscopic 3D main camera system with an 18 mm lens and 6.5 megapixel stereoscopic resolution, allowing you to capture spatial photos and videos . .
It also includes two high-definition rear cameras, six ambient-facing cameras, four eye-tracking cameras, a TrueDepth camera, a LiDAR scanner, four inertial measurement units (IMUs), a flicker sensor, and an ambient light sensor.
Quest 3 has multiple front-facing cameras
A comprehensive array of cameras and sensors makes it a powerful tool for spatial awareness and advanced AR applications.
In contrast, Meta Quest 3 focuses on mixed reality and spatial tracking with a six-camera setup. On the front of the headset is a new four-camera array arranged in two vertical rows: two for spatial tracking and two for full-color mixed reality viewing.
In addition, the headset features two more spatial cameras on the bottom edge to support future full-body tracking features. The emphasis here is on creating immersive mixed reality scenarios and providing accurate motion tracking.
Apple Vision Pro's advanced camera technology makes it the preferred option for those looking for a top-notch AR and VR experience. Its ability to capture and interpret physical spaces provides a level of detail and immersion unmatched by Meta Quest 3.
Despite Quest 3's robust mixed reality and spatial tracking, the Vision Pro suite of cameras delivers superior performance and versatility. making it ideal for demanding applications and detailed interaction with the environment.
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 – Battery Life
On average, Meta Quest provides up to 2.2 hours of use for general use and social activities, 2.4 hours for gaming, 1.5 hours for productivity tasks and 2.9 hours for multimedia consumption. Apple Vision Pro requires an external battery and provides up to 2 hours of total use or up to 2.5 hours of video viewing.
Apple uses an external battery for the Vision Pro
Both Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro can be used while the battery is charging. Where appropriate, the cable can be connected directly to the Meta Quest 3, and power can be connected to the Apple Vision Pro battery.
Meta comes with an 18W charger, while Apple has a 30W version.
As with any electronic device connected to a battery, the actual usage time of Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro will vary depending on various factors such as device settings, usage patterns, network conditions and more. This will vary significantly between users depending on the primary use case and how hardware-intensive the applications used are.
Differences in battery life highlight the tradeoff between portability and convenience. Meta Quest 3 offers longer battery life when used offline, and although Apple Vision Pro requires an external battery, it provides a more immersive experience.
Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3 – Price
Meta Quest 3 offers two storage options: 128 GB and 512 GB. The 128GB model costs $499.99, while the 512GB version costs $649.99.
On the contrary, Apple Vision Pro has a higher price range due to its advanced hardware and features. It offers three built-in storage options — 256GB for $3,499, 512GB for $3,699, and 1TB for $3,899.
Meta Quest 3 comes with two motion controllers
These storage options are designed for users who require significant storage capacity and are willing to invest in premium technology. It's important to note that the Apple Vision Pro is available for pre-order and will officially go on sale on February 2nd.
Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 – what to buy
When choosing between Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, several key factors should influence your choice. First, consider your intended use case.
If you're enthusiastic about immersive gaming and virtual reality, Meta Quest 3 offers a more cost-effective option with mixed reality capabilities. On the other hand, if your interests lie in advanced augmented reality applications, spatial awareness, and photography, Apple Vision Pro may be a better fit.
Secondly, your budget is key. Meta Quest 3 offers a cost-effective selection starting at a lower price, making it accessible to a wider range of users. Conversely, Apple Vision Pro offers a higher price for its advanced technology.
Meta Quest 3 comes with two storage options
Also, consider your storage needs. Meta Quest 3 offers two storage options: 128GB and 512GB to suit different requirements. In contrast, Apple Vision Pro offers more substantial onboard storage capabilities.
Also, consider the existing technology ecosystem. If you're already deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, Apple Vision Pro will easily complement your other Apple devices. On the other hand, Meta Quest 3 offers a more open and versatile platform for virtual reality and mixed reality.
Meta Quest 3 offers varying battery life depending on usage scenarios. In contrast, the Apple Vision Pro has a shorter battery life and you will have to keep it in your pocket while using it.
Apple Vision Pro in case
Ultimately the decision comes down to whether you're willing to shell out more than $3,500 for a high-end Apple headset, or whether you're more willing to pay much less for the Meta headset, betting that a cheaper Apple wearable or an improved second-generation Pro model will be available in the future.
Despite the high price, the Apple Vision Pro is considered the best buy for those who are willing to invest in superior performance and a better user experience. It offers an immersive experience at the top of the VR market with its advanced features and seamless ecosystem integration.
Where to Buy Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3
Apple Vision Pro starts at $3,499 and can be purchased on Apple.com.
Meta Quest 3 starts at $499.99. Best Buy, B&H and Amazon sell more affordable headsets.
