Skip to main content

The gloves are off as The Zuck lays into Apple’s Vision Pro

Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg took to Instagram on Tuesday to knock Apple’s new Vision Pro headset while singing the praises of his own company’s Quest 3 alternative.

In a video lasting 3 minutes and 40 seconds and shot entirely on the Quest 3, The Zuck only had two positive things to say about the Vision Pro, praising its higher screen resolution and its “really nice” eye-tracking. For the rest of it, he lauds Meta’s Quest 3 headset while at the same time tearing into Apple’s competing device, which launched earlier this month.

“I finally tried Apple’s Vision Pro, and I have to say, before this, I expected the Quest would be the better value for most people since it’s really good and like seven times less expensive, but after using it … I think that the Quest is the better product, period,” Zuckerberg says at the start.

Besides that massive price difference — $500 for the Quest 3 compared to $3,500 for the Vision Pro — the Meta CEO also claimed that his device was more comfortable to wear, partly because it weighs 120 grams less than Apple’s product. He also noted that no wires get in the way, unlike with the Vision Pro, which comes with an external battery back.

“Apple’s eye tracking is really nice,” Zuckerberg says, noting that Meta plans to bring the same technology to future Quest headsets after leaving it out of the Quest 3.

The Meta boss also says how Quest’s immersive content library “is a lot deeper, we’ve been working with studios, building virtual mixed-reality games and other content for a long time now,” though Apple is expected to catch up here as more developers start taking an interest in the Vision Pro.

Now, when you watch the video, keep in mind that this reviewer is not any reviewer. It’s Mark Zuckerberg, head of a company that is investing huge amounts of money in virtual reality and the so-called “metaverse,” and so it really doesn’t want to see Apple come along and take all the glory.

If you’re a potential customer who’s torn between the Quest 3 and the Vision Pro, the wise thing to do is to seek out reviews from neutrals rather than relying on the person at the head of the company that made the product, though in fairness Zuckerberg does make some valid points. And do take both devices for a spin before you buy, if possible.

While many believe Apple’s Vision Pro could indeed threaten Meta’s efforts to make a success of its Quest devices, others think that Apple’s entry into the market could also boost interest in face-based computers and ultimately lead to more headset sales for Meta.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Vision Pro 2: everything we expect from the future of Apple’s headsets
The Apple Vision Pro reveals the wearer's eyes on a front-facing display.

Apple’s Vision Pro headset has been the talk of the tech world since it was unveiled, but Apple is already planning to follow it up with two new models that could take the headset to new heights -- and put it into the hands of more people. That includes a second-generation Apple Vision Pro, as well as a pared-back headset with a lower price.

What exactly should we expect from these devices? What kind of features will they offer, and when will they launch? If you’re seeking the answers to all those questions and more, you’re in the right place, as our rumor roundup will guide you through everything you need to know. Let’s get started.
Vision Pro 2: price and release date

Read more
We have some bad news for Quest owners
The original Oculus Quest 1 appears on a white background.

If you've been holding onto your original Oculus Quest or Quest 1 VR headset, it's time to upgrade because support is ending soon. The Quest 1 came out in 2019, so this headset is nearly five years old and quickly approaching the end of support. In August 2024, the original Quest will stop receiving security updates and bug fixes.

Meta recently emailed developers with an alert that new VR games and apps will be blocked from supporting the Quest 1 next month. Updates to existing apps will also cease. The Quest 1 will still have access to a large library of games, but to enjoy the latest releases, it's time to upgrade. This news follows a slow pullback that started last year when social features were removed.

Read more
Does the Vision Pro work with glasses and contacts?
An Apple employee shows a person how to use a Vision Pro headset at an Apple Store.

Apple gave the Vision Pro headset incredible clarity. We know this because one of our writers praised its clarity after his own hands-on experience with the headset.

But that praise-worthy clarity doesn't matter, though, if people who wear glasses can't use prescription lenses to enjoy the Vision Pro's large, sharp screens. That might be one of the most important questions to answer for more than half of the U.S. population that wear glasses or contact lenses -- and the answer isn't great.
Apple Vision Pro with glasses
The Apple Vision Pro works with Zeiss optical inserts for vision correction. Apple

Read more