Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest Pro: A Comparative Analysis in the Spatial Computing Era

What some are now calling the “Spatial Computing Era” leading the charge are two tech giants, Apple and Meta, with their respective headsets, the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest Pro. Both devices promise to revolutionize how we interact with the digital world, but how do they compare? Our team hasn’t had the opportunity to try Apple’s Vision Pro yet, but we’ve done some research, and Marques Brownlee published a fantastic review on YouTube after he got to fully experience the headset personally. We’ll cover some of what Marques shared in this article while doing a brief comparison from our experience using the Meta Pro.

Apple Vision Pro & Meta Quest Pro Comparison

Apple Vision Pro Video

Apple Vision Pro: A New Dimension in Digital Connection

The Apple Vision Pro is a spatial computing device that brings your favorite apps into your physical space. It’s powered by VisionOS, Apple’s first-ever spatial operating system, offering a familiar yet groundbreaking user experience. The device’s 3D camera captures photos and videos with remarkable depth, allowing you to relive memories as if you’re right back in the moment.

One of the most exciting features of the Apple Vision Pro is its ability to connect people in the same room. When someone else is in the room, you can see them, and they can see you. This feature opens up new possibilities for collaboration and communication, making conversations more natural and engaging, but how important is this feature when you could simply take the headset off?

Meta Quest Pro Video

Meta Quest Pro: A Leap into Mixed Reality

The Meta Quest Pro is a self-contained mixed reality headset with beefier internal specs than their prior VR headset, the Oculus 2, with two major new features: mixed reality with a full-color video feed and face tracking via inward-facing cameras. Meta imagines that this device will be used for more immersive gaming experiences and professional applications.

Comparing Apples to Apples Meta

The Apple Vision Pro, as described in Marques Brownlee’s video, is a first-generation product offering unique features. It operates on its own operating system, VisionOS, and provides a core set of functions. The headset can be used as a standalone computer, with 4K windows that can be manipulated with hand gestures. The Vision Pro’s eye-tracking and hand-tracking capabilities are reportedly the best seen in any VR headset to date. The headset also offers impressive display quality, with high-resolution 4K screens. However, some may feel it’s a heavy device due to its metal and glass construction and its battery life of only two hours.

Comparatively, the Meta Quest Pro is a premium mixed reality headset significantly cheaper than the Apple Vision Pro. According to the article on Digital Trends, both headsets boast advanced designs, better displays, fast performance, and greater comfort than mainstream headsets. However, there are some key differences:

1. Comfort: Both headsets have focused on comfort, but the Meta Quest Pro has an open facial interface, which allows for natural peripheral vision and a more airy feel. The Apple Vision Pro, on the other hand, has a breathable facial interface and a stretchy, breathable headband. The forehead rests on the Meta Pro could be better for some. Even Brian found it uncomfortable, we found a great video on how to improve it, and after making those adjustments, he loves it.
2. Display Quality: The Apple Vision Pro has a superior display resolution, offering the sharpest consumer VR headset yet. It uses micro-OLED displays for pure black that’s controllable at the pixel level. The Meta Quest Pro uses mini-LED backlighting, which provides truer blacks and a wider dynamic range of brightness.
3. Performance: The Apple Vision Pro features an M2 processor, which is faster than the XR2+ processor in the Meta Quest Pro. However, the Meta Quest Pro can connect wirelessly to a PC or Mac with a discrete GPU for more apps and uses. Brian has even used the Meta Pro with his 13″ Macbook Pro to use three virtual monitors in his living room and was shocked by the performance.
4. Price: The Apple Vision Pro is significantly more expensive than the Meta Quest Pro. The Vision Pro is priced at $3,500, while the Quest Pro is priced at $1,000.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Apple Vision Pro could be a better choice, for media consumption and productivity, due to its superior display and performance. However, the Meta Quest Pro might be a better and more affordable choice if you want a VR & AR headset for gaming, social connections, fitness, and mixed reality uses.

How Long Will Apple Lovers Wait?

We are curious whether people will wait another year for the Apple Vision Pro or will Meta capitalize on this delay. After all, Mark Zuckerberg teased the Meta Quest 3 headset, starting at only $500, a few days before the Apple WWDC Keynote. The video below, from CNET, will give you a comparison of those two headsets.

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3