Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed his disappointment with Apple’s new mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro, and claimed that his company’s Quest 3 device is superior in every way. In a video posted on Instagram, Zuckerberg compared the two headsets and highlighted the advantages of Meta’s product over Apple’s.
Quest 3 offers better value and quality, says Zuckerberg
Zuckerberg said that he was “pretty surprised” that the Quest 3 was “so much better” than the Vision Pro for “the vast majority of things that people use these headsets for”. He cited several reasons for his preference, such as:
- The Quest 3 is seven times less expensive than the Vision Pro, which costs $3,500.
- The Quest 3 is more comfortable and lighter than the Vision Pro, which weighs 120 grams more and has a bulky design.
- The Quest 3 has no wires that get in the way of movement, while the Vision Pro requires a cable connection to a Mac or iPhone.
- The Quest 3 has a wider field of view and a brighter screen than the Vision Pro, which has a higher resolution but a dimmer display.
- The Quest 3 has a deeper and more immersive content library than the Vision Pro, which has over 1,000 spatial apps but lacks popular services like Netflix and YouTube.
- The Quest 3 has more accurate hand tracking than the Vision Pro, which relies on a controller for most interactions.
- The Quest 3 has a more open and social model than the Vision Pro, which is limited by Apple’s ecosystem and privacy policies.
Zuckerberg acknowledged that the Vision Pro has a “really nice” eye tracking feature, but said that it was not enough to justify the price difference. He also said that he knows some “fanboys” get upset when people question Apple’s dominance in a new category, but he believes that Meta’s vision for the metaverse will win in the long run.
Vision Pro faces mixed reviews and returns
Apple launched its Vision Pro earlier this month as its first entry into the mixed reality market, which combines virtual and augmented reality. The device has been praised by some reviewers and celebrities for its innovative features and design, but it has also faced criticism and complaints from others.
Some of the issues that users have reported include:
- The Vision Pro is too expensive for most consumers and does not offer enough value for the money.
- The Vision Pro is too heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and causes headaches and eye strain.
- The Vision Pro has poor battery life and overheats easily, requiring frequent charging and cooling.
- The Vision Pro has limited compatibility and performance issues with some iOS and Mac devices, and does not work well with Windows or Android.
- The Vision Pro has privacy and security concerns, as it requires constant camera access and facial recognition, and may expose personal data to third parties.
- The Vision Pro has poor customer service and return policy, as Apple charges a restocking fee and does not offer refunds or exchanges.
Several people have posted on social media about returning their Vision Pro devices, saying that they were not satisfied with the product and that the “physical trade-offs are just not worth it”. Some have also switched to Meta’s Quest 3 or other alternatives, such as Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 or HTC’s Vive Pro 2.
Meta and Apple compete for the future of mixed reality
The rivalry between Meta and Apple over the mixed reality market is not new, as the two tech giants have been investing heavily in the technology for years. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, changed its name last year to reflect its ambition to build the metaverse, a virtual world where people can interact and create. Apple, on the other hand, has been developing its own spatial computing platform, which aims to integrate digital and physical experiences.
Both companies have different approaches and visions for the future of mixed reality, and their products reflect that. Meta’s Quest 3 is a standalone device that offers a more immersive and social VR experience, while Apple’s Vision Pro is a tethered device that offers a more realistic and seamless AR experience. Meta’s Quest 3 is more affordable and accessible, while Apple’s Vision Pro is more premium and exclusive. Meta’s Quest 3 is more open and collaborative, while Apple’s Vision Pro is more closed and controlled.
The competition between Meta and Apple is likely to intensify as the mixed reality market grows and evolves. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global mixed reality market size is expected to reach $43.4 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 48.3%. The report also identifies Meta and Apple as the key players in the market, along with Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and others.