Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, recently shared his thoughts on Apple’s new mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, in a video posted on Instagram. In the video, Zuckerberg referred to Meta’s Quest 3 headset as “the better value” and “the better product, period.”
The video highlights the growing competition between Apple and Meta in the mixed-reality headset market. Both companies are vying to convince consumers of the benefits of their respective headsets, which overlay digital content over the real world or provide immersive virtual reality experiences. While Meta has focused on affordability, Apple has prioritized features such as sharper screens, powerful processors, and high-end materials.
According to Zuckerberg, the Quest 3 headset offers several advantages over the Vision Pro. He claims that the Quest 3 is more comfortable, has a wider field of view, more accurate hand tracking, and a brighter screen. However, he acknowledges that the Vision Pro has a higher resolution screen and impressive eye tracking capabilities.
Zuckerberg’s endorsement of the Quest 3 is significant considering his position as the CEO of Meta. It demonstrates his confidence in the product and his belief that it outperforms Apple’s offering. He also addresses the assumption that the Vision Pro would be of higher quality due to its association with Apple and its higher price tag. Zuckerberg expresses surprise at the Quest 3’s superiority in most aspects, despite being significantly cheaper.
Apple officially launched the Vision Pro in the U.S. on February 2nd. Priced at $3,500, it is Apple’s first new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. During the launch event in New York, Apple CEO Tim Cook described the headset as “tomorrow’s technology today.”
On the other hand, Meta introduced its Quest 3 headset in September, with shipments starting the following month. The Quest 3 starts at $500, making it $200 more expensive than Meta’s previous headset. One of the standout features of Meta’s new headset is its “passthrough” mode, which allows users to quickly see the world outside the headset. Apple’s headset offers similar functionality.
Zuckerberg acknowledges that some Apple enthusiasts may be upset when their dominance in a new category is questioned. However, he believes that Meta’s open model for its headsets will ultimately prevail. He emphasizes that the future is yet to be determined and that there is still room for competition and innovation.
As of now, Apple has not responded to CNBC’s request for comment on Zuckerberg’s remarks.
In conclusion, Mark Zuckerberg’s video comparing Meta’s Quest 3 headset to Apple’s Vision Pro highlights the intensifying competition between the two companies in the mixed-reality headset market. While Zuckerberg’s endorsement of the Quest 3 may be seen as biased, it underscores his belief in the product’s superiority. With both companies offering unique features and targeting different price points, it remains to be seen which headset will dominate the market in the long run.
