Now that virtual reality headsets can be strapped to our faces and worn in various places, opinions about Apple’s Vision Pro are pouring in from all directions. One notable voice entering the chat is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who arguably has more at stake than anyone else on the planet if Apple’s headset revolutionizes the industry, just as the iPhone did with smartphones.
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In a video shared on his Instagram account on Tuesday, Zuckerberg offers his official verdict on the Vision Pro compared to his company’s latest Quest 3 headset: “I don’t just think that Quest is the better value, I think Quest is the better product, period.” Filmed in his living room using the Quest 3’s video passthrough system, Zuckerberg highlights the tradeoffs Apple made to achieve the most advanced display technology while maintaining an acceptable form factor for wearing on the head. He points out that the Quest 3 is 120 grams lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Additionally, he mentions that the Quest 3 allows for greater freedom of movement due to its lack of a wired battery pack and wider field of view compared to the Vision Pro.
Zuckerberg believes that the Quest’s option of physical hand controllers and hand tracking for input is superior, although he acknowledges the value of eye tracking for specific use cases and hints that it will feature in future Meta headsets after its debut in the Quest Pro. He also asserts that the Quest boasts a more extensive and immersive content library compared to Apple, which is technically true at present. However, he concedes that the Vision Pro excels as an entertainment device. Furthermore, Zuckerberg emphasizes that the Quest 3 is significantly more affordable, stating that it is “like seven times less expensive.”
Towards the end of the video, Zuckerberg expresses his gratitude towards his team, who have been developing VR headsets for a considerable period of time. This message seems to convey a sense of reassurance that Meta is well-positioned in the market. As I recently discussed with Zuckerberg, it is undeniable that Meta has a significant head start and will likely dominate headset sales for the foreseeable future. One can even argue, as Zuckerberg does, that the Quest 3 is currently the superior headset for most consumers compared to the Vision Pro.
However, what Zuckerberg doesn’t mention in his video is that Apple holds clear advantages in terms of hardware and developer ecosystem, both of which take time to establish in a new product category like VR headsets. While Meta may be breathing a sigh of relief for now, the battle of VR headsets is a game of endurance. The competition between Meta and Apple is just beginning, and the outcome is far from certain.
In conclusion, Mark Zuckerberg’s assessment of Apple’s Vision Pro versus Meta‘s Quest 3 offers valuable insights into the current state of the VR headset market. While acknowledging the strengths of the Quest 3, it is important to recognize that Apple possesses its own unique advantages. As the headset wars continue, it will be fascinating to see how both companies evolve and innovate to capture the hearts and minds of consumers in this rapidly expanding field.
