Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest Pro: Which Mixed Reality headset is best?

Apple finally announces its new AR headset - the Vision Pro but how does it stack up against the Quest Pro?

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Apple’s newly announced Vision Pro headset looks incredible and is set to change the way we work, entertain ourselves, and chat with friends. The new device could be used for the likes of gaming, however, what looks most impressive is video consumption and productivity, much like the Meta Quest Pro. The Meta Quest Pro is one of the most advanced headsets on the market and was specifically designed for working, creating, and collaborating. Meta also has the Quest 2, and newly announced Quest 3 headsets for gaming. So, how do these compare? Well, the Vision Pro is set for release in early 2024, so still some time to wait yet but we can take a look at the difference in design, price, specs, and features.

Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest Pro specs

Both the Apple Vision Pro and Quest Pro are mixed reality headsets. To compete, Apple has deploy its big guns, the M2 processor, where as the Quest Pro features the Snapdragon XR2 Plus chip, a powerful processor in its own right. As Gurman predicted the Vision Pro “looks like a high-tech pair of ski goggles” which is hardly surprising as most VR headsets resemble these in someway or another, including the Quest Pro.

Spec	Apple Vision Pro	Meta Quest Pro
CPU/ chip	Apple M2 (R1 input from cameras)	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+
Display Type	custom micro‑OLED display	2 x LCD binocular
Passthrough	Color	Color
Resolution	More pixels than a 4K TV per-eye	1800×1920 per-eye
Headstrap	Adjustable, cushioned breathable, stretchy	Hard padded retractable strap
Wifi	WiFi 6E (unconfirmed)	WiFi 6E
Visible FoV	Unconfirmed	106° horizontal96° diagonal

One of the main features to the Apple Vision Pro is its visual passthrough, something we have also seen on the Quest Pro, although, first impressions make Apples product look superior. This feature means you can hear and interact with digital content and can control everything with your eyes, hands, and voice. The Meta Quest Pro requires controllers, and here is a major difference between the two.

In Vision Pro you can resize apps, capture photos, relive memories, watch movies, sports, and completely immerse yourself into games. Ok so the Meta Quest Pro can do similar things, however there is a big difference. The Vision Pro’s 3D interface responds dynamically to light and can even cast shadows. When viewing media or an application, the headset will dim the lighting around it to help with immersion/ concentration. You can resize your apps to whatever size you want and when you take your augmented reality into an outside settings, the size is, well, limitless.

Panoramic images now expand and wraps around you and you can capture 3D images and videos too with the built in camera. While both headsets could be used for entertainment, Apple looks to win here too. The Apple Vision Pro lets you turn any room into a massive movie theatre, with the ability to adjust screen size, dim the surrounding light, and surround you with spatial audio. you cna also take advantage of 3D films too.

Gaming is yet another realm we think the Apple Vision Pro will have the Quest Pro beat, seeing as it wasn’t really designed to game. We can’t speak of the Meta Quest 3 yet but Apple Vision Pro will come with controller support and feature 100 playable game titles from day one. 

Comfort

The Quest Pro is a comfortable headset that fits the head like a most typical VR devices. Apple’s Vision Pro looks set to be extremely comfortable with flexible straps that conform to your head. This design helps audio pods close sit in a more natural position for your ears. The headband is 3D knitted single piece that provides cushioning and flexibility for those with a bigger melon on top of their shoulders.

Battery life

Both the Quest Pro and Vision Pro offer up to 2 hours of battery life. The main selling point behind the Vision Pro is its external battery that makes this headset versatile. We aren’t recommending you use this in public but it’s built to use anywhere, which is pretty cool. The idea of putting this on during a flight is laughable, although kind of appealing once you get past the whole “hey look at me in AR”. Of course, when you are using these at home you can plug in, otherwise movie night would be cut short.

Price

The Meta Quest Pro launched at a price of $999.99, around the same as the Valve Index. Well, Apple’s entry into the market does not come cheap, its going to retail at $3499. It is hard to gauge value and where this would sit in the market at this stage but it sounds awfully expensive, even if it did look like the best AR solution available.

Three times the price is quite the step up for the VR/ AR enthusiast out there but you can’t deny the keynote made you want to drop off your credit card at your local Apple store. We just hope that this first edition venture is as good as the M1 Mac launch.

The world of mixed reality, virtual reality, and augmented reality headsets is heating up and we truly cannot wait for the Apple Vision Pro headset release date. Apple’s headset looks set to shake up AR as we know it, with breath taking experiences for the home, and, well outside too?