Mark Zuckerberg, the executive director of Meta, recently had the chance to try out Apple’s new mixed reality (MR) device, the Vision Pro. He shared his assessment and insights on the product’s screen resolution and imaging technology, expressing his surprise at its capabilities. The Vision Pro’s eye tracking technology was particularly noteworthy. Despite this, Zuckerberg still maintains that Meta Quest 3, Meta’s extended reality viewer, surpasses Apple’s offering in terms of overall product quality.
Apple unveiled the Vision Pro in June 2023 and launched it in the United States on February 2, with a starting price of $3,499. The Vision Pro is Apple’s bold venture into the mixed reality (MR) domain. Tim Cook, the executive director of Apple, has hailed it as “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created“. The device operates on the visionOS system, features a three-dimensional user interface, and offers user interaction via hands, voice, and eyes.
Zuckerberg has had the opportunity to test the Vision Pro firsthand and has shared his impressions on his social media platforms. He highlighted several aspects of the product that surprised him and drew comparisons between the Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3.
Admitting that the Vision Pro’s screen resolution is higher, Zuckerberg noted that the Meta Quest 3’s screen offers better brightness and a sharper image. He observed that the Vision Pro glasses exhibit some blurring when the user moves while using them.
Pointing out some of the drawbacks of the Vision Pro, Zuckerberg mentioned that it is heavier by around 120 grams compared to the Meta Quest 3. He criticized Apple for compromising on ergonomics and user comfort in their pursuit of higher graphics quality.
In contrast, he praised the Meta Quest 3 for its precision controllers, which are excellent for gaming. While acknowledging that both devices incorporate hand tracking technology, he claimed that the Meta Quest 3’s is slightly more accurate.
He also commented on Apple’s eye tracking system, calling it “really nice”. However, he pointed out that this is not a novel or exclusive feature, as they had previously included similar sensors in the Quest Pro. Although these sensors were removed from the Quest 3, he hinted that they will be reintroduced in future models.
Zuckerberg also opined that despite the Vision Pro having a nice interface, it was not “perfect” for typing or carrying out complex tasks. This necessitates having a keyboard or a controller close at hand when using the device.
He asserted that Meta Quest 3’s content library is far more extensive than that of the Vision Pro, thanks to Meta’s collaborations with virtual and mixed reality game studios and creators. Moreover, he emphasized that the Meta Quest 3 is seven times less costly than the Vision Pro and is better suited for most virtual reality applications. Therefore, Zuckerberg firmly believes that not only does the Meta Quest 3 offer better value for money, but it is also “the best product, period”.
Lastly, Zuckerberg spoke about the general perception that Apple’s viewer is superior due to its higher price point. He questioned Apple’s perceived dominance in the viewer sector, concluding with the thought-provoking statement that “the future is not yet written“.
