In a recent post on Threads, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg once again criticized Apple’s Vision Pro VR headset. Engaging in a conversation with Mosaic Ventures partner Benedict Evans, Zuckerberg highlighted the “tradeoffs” in Apple’s product that, in his opinion, make it inferior to Meta’s Quest headset. He expressed his confusion over Meta VR engineers claiming that the Vision Pro is “basically just the same thing” as the Quest. According to Zuckerberg, if Meta’s devices have the same weight, motion blur, and lack of precision inputs as Apple’s in the next few years, it would signify a significant regression for Meta.
Zuckerberg emphasized that while Apple’s Vision Pro may have a higher resolution, it comes at the cost of other product tradeoffs that make it worse in most aspects. He stated that Meta aspires to create a better device than Apple’s, not one with compromised features. Representatives for both Meta and Apple have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Apple has sold over 200,000 units of the Vision Pro since its pre-order availability in January, while Meta has sold 20 million units of the Quest between its launch in 2019 and February of the previous year. Meta’s Reality Labs division achieved over $1 billion in revenue for the first time in its fourth-quarter financials in 2023, which was attributed to the Quest’s strong performance during the holiday season.
The conversation between Evans and Zuckerberg also touched on the benefits and drawbacks of Apple’s higher resolution. Zuckerberg argued that Apple’s decision to prioritize resolution over ergonomics and motion blur was not a clear win, especially considering that the Quest also boasts a good resolution.
This is not the first time Zuckerberg has publicly criticized Apple’s Vision Pro. He previously posted a scathing review on Instagram, criticizing various aspects of the device such as its price and specifications. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with Apple’s vision of a VR headset during a company meeting, stating that it did not align with his own vision.
Zuckerberg’s ongoing criticism of Apple’s Vision Pro highlights the competitive nature of the VR headset market. As both companies strive to innovate and capture market share, their differing approaches and product offerings continue to fuel debate and discussion within the tech industry.
