Apple finally revealed its Vision Pro device, with the mixed reality headset providing both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) capabilities. With a planned release in early 2024, the Vision Pro comes with a starting price of $3,499. This price point significantly surpasses that of a MacBook with a similar processor and exceeds the range of consumer-targeted AR and VR headsets currently available on the market.
However, Apple’s Vision Pro will not be alone in the race, as it will face competition from Meta’s Quest Pro, another “Pro” headset that is already available to consumers. While both devices offer certain shared features and functionalities, they diverge greatly in terms of pricing, performance, and exclusive features.
Considering these factors, if you were confronted with the decision of choosing between these two devices, which option would make more practical sense? Let’s delve deeper into the details to help you make an informed choice.
Price
Initially priced at $1,499, the Meta Quest Pro made a swift move to increase its accessibility by slashing the price to $999 shortly after its debut. As Meta’s flagship offering, the Quest Pro delivers impressive features at a considerably lower price point compared to Apple’s Vision Pro. With a price tag of $3,499, the Vision Pro is positioned as a luxury product set to hit the market next year. Earlier leaks hinted at a potential price of $3,000, but the final figure turned out to be significantly higher than anticipated.
Specifications
While both of these headsets are extremely powerful and designed for people who wish to use them for more than just playing video games or viewing multimedia content, they are primarily intended for gamers and multimedia consumers.
The Vision Pro can be operated with your voice, gaze, and fingers. The headset’s sensors enable users to interact with applications by looking at them or by flicking their wrists to scroll through pages.
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In contrast, the Meta Quest Pro features eye tracking and supports hand gestures. Meta believes that the VR instruments are a natural extension of the hand. When using the Quest Pro, the Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers will be your companion.
Apple has mentioned that the Vision Pro features 23 million pixels across two displays, which is more than a 4K television for each eye. The Vision Pro reportedly features two 1.41-inch micro-OLED displays with a maximum luminance of 5,000 nits. This combination of a high-resolution display and high levels of luminance is unprecedented in the VR industry.
The Quest Pro, on the other hand, has an LCD panel with a resolution of 1800×1982 per eye and a maximum luminance of 500 nits. The experience will pale in comparison to what Apple is providing. The display on the Quest Pro is only marginally superior to the display on the Quest 2.
Both devices are standalone headgear that do not require a dedicated PC to function. However, the Vision Pro utilises Apple’s M2 chipset and a dedicated chipset for sensor control. As we already know, the Apple M2 is an exceedingly powerful chipset found in MacBooks.
All of this raw capacity is required for the smooth operation of the specialised operating system and rendering of high-resolution content. Since Apple does not rely on hardware controllers, the headset must natively process a massive amount of data in order to correctly interpret and implement gestures.
Apple’s M2 processor is significantly more powerful than Meta’s Qualcomm XR+ chipset, which is also designed for VR/AR headsets.
Design
The front of Quest Pro and Vision Pro features a premium glass design. Vision Pro takes it a step further by incorporating a see-through headset, allowing users to display their eyes and facilitating more natural interactions with people around them. This feature eliminates the need to remove the headset during conversations. On the other hand, the Quest Pro lacks this see-through capability.
Both headsets, the Vision Pro and the Quest Pro, utilize Pancake lenses commonly found in modern VR headsets, except for the PS VR 2. These lenses contribute to a more compact design and offer a wider sweet spot.
Despite the Vision Pro’s use of materials like Glass and Aluminum, which could potentially make the headset heavy, it surprisingly remains lightweight. However, one design element that has divided opinions is the wired battery that dangles from the side of the Vision Pro, contrasting with the headset’s sleek aesthetic.
In contrast, the Quest Pro has a battery pack positioned behind the user’s head. Although this adds some weight to the headset, it provides a seamless design and eliminates the hassle of tangled wires.
Furthermore, the Vision Pro boasts all-day use when plugged in and up to two hours of use with its external high-performance battery. On the other hand, the Quest Pro’s battery can last up to two hours, depending on the content being consumed. Additionally, the Quest Pro offers the convenience of being charged while being worn.
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Apps and Games
The Quest Pro operates on an Android-based operating system, while the Vision Pro utilizes a vision OS built on iOS. While both headsets should offer a wide range of apps and games, information about the app library specific to the vision OS is currently limited, except for its ability to access iOS apps.
Apple is renowned for collaborating with prominent app developers and game studios to optimize their offerings for their devices. This collaboration ensures that the apps are tailored to maximize the hardware and software capabilities of the device, resulting in an enhanced in-app experience.
The Quest Pro targets serious VR users and boasts features like 5G connectivity, making it suitable for applications in fields such as healthcare, education, robotics, and engineering. It caters to users seeking more than just basic 360-degree content and gaming experiences.
When it comes to gaming, the Meta Quest Pro is the clear winner. It boasts an extensive collection of virtual reality games and augmented reality games. The Meta Quest Pro has benefited from years of development, starting with the original Oculus Rifts and headsets. Many games have been in the works for quite some time, and we can expect to see a significant number of them being ported over.
On the other hand, Apple has announced the release of a hundred arcade games at launch, but they have not shown much initiative in the VR gaming space. However, with Apple opening up to Unity for development, we can anticipate a surge in game releases.
Nevertheless, the Meta Quest Pro still outshines its competitors, thanks to its collaborations with popular franchises like Star Wars, Walking Dead, and Jurassic Park. In terms of gaming, the Meta Quest Pro is the undisputed champion.
On the other hand, the Vision Pro represents a step towards Apple’s vision of replacing traditional computing devices, TVs, and potentially even iPhones with VR headsets in the distant future. Leveraging its extensive ecosystem of devices, the Vision Pro is designed to seamlessly integrate into Apple’s walled garden and extend the functionality of each connected device.
Apple intends for the Vision Pro to have a certain level of dependence on other devices like MacBooks or iPhones to unlock its full potential, keeping users engaged within their ecosystem of devices and accessories. Besides the price, the ecosystem surrounding the Vision Pro serves as the primary differentiating factor between the two headsets.
Conclusion
To summarize, while Apple may excel in certain aspects, the Meta Quest Pro offers an exceptional experience at a more affordable price. If gaming and cost-effectiveness are your priorities, the Meta Quest Pro is a reliable choice. On the other hand, if you’re already deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and consider yourself an Apple enthusiast, the Apple Vision Pro might be an appealing option for you.
Ultimately, your decision between the Meta Quest Pro and the Apple Vision Pro should be based on your specific needs and preferences. Thank you for tuning in! If you found this video helpful, please show your support by giving it a thumbs up, sharing it with your friends, and leaving your thoughts in the comment section below. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the bell icon to stay updated with similar content in the future.