Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly criticized Apple’s new headset, the Vision Pro, claiming that Meta’s own headset, the Quest 3, is the superior product. The Vision Pro gained attention when celebrities like Diplo and T-Pain were seen wearing it in public, thanks to its “passthrough” feature that allows users to see their surroundings while using the headset. However, Zuckerberg argues that the Quest 3 is the best product overall.
The passthrough feature is a common feature in recent mixed reality headsets, enabling users to see beyond the screen by utilizing cameras on the outside of the headset. This technology has been in development by Meta for nearly a decade and is also present in rival products like Sony’s PlayStation VR 2. Zuckerberg expresses frustration that the Vision Pro is receiving praise for technology that already exists elsewhere.
Zuckerberg’s criticism of the Vision Pro stems from his belief that the Quest 3 offers a better experience for the majority of users, despite its lower price point. He highlights the Quest 3’s cable-free design, ease of movement, and socializing capabilities as key advantages. Additionally, he mentions that the Quest 3 is more comfortable, weighs less, and has a wider field of view compared to the Vision Pro. While he acknowledges that the Vision Pro has a higher resolution and eye-tracking feature, he believes that Apple had to make significant trade-offs to achieve these advancements.
In a surprising move, Zuckerberg also criticizes “fanboys” who blindly support Apple and dismiss any questioning of its leadership in technology. He emphasizes that every generation of computing has an open and closed model, with Apple’s closed model prevailing in mobile but Microsoft’s open model winning in the PC era. Zuckerberg asserts that Meta aims to be the open model in this next generation and hopes that it will emerge as the winner.
Overall, Zuckerberg’s critique of Apple’s Vision Pro and endorsement of Meta’s Quest 3 highlights the competition and rivalry between the two companies in the virtual reality space. While the Vision Pro has garnered attention for its passthrough feature and higher resolution, Zuckerberg argues that the Quest 3 offers a better overall experience at a more affordable price. He also emphasizes Meta’s commitment to an open model of computing, positioning the company as a challenger to Apple’s closed model dominance.