It was only five days ago when the CEO of social media company Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Mark Zuckerberg, brought out a bold, definitive statement that absolutely everybody saw coming. He tested tech giant Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) Vision Pro headset and boldly announced that the product his own company makes is superior. While Zuckerberg conceded a few points to the competition, Zuckerberg clearly went with the home turf advantage on this one. But is he right? Or is he just playing the shill? Let’s take a look at the two devices and see which one actually comes out on top.
Tale of the Tape
First, we should have a look at the composition of the devices in question. PC Guide offered a handy comparison chart that spells out the key differences in makeup. The Meta Quest 3 packs a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, while the Apple Vision Pro packs in Apple’s own M2 and R1 chips. The Meta Quest 3 offers 12 gigabytes (GB) of RAM, while the Vision Pro uses 16 GB.
Storage space is also a huge consideration; the Quest 3 offers 128 GB or 512 GB, while the Vision Pro stops at 64 GB. The Quest 3 offers an LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, meaning that frames are drawn in 1/120th of a second. On the other hand, the Vision Pro offers 4K resolution in a micro-OLED display but with a 90 Hz refresh rate.
That will likely be a noticeable difference in refresh rate, suggesting that the Vision Pro might present blurrier video, particularly in any kind of motion. Anyone who’s had a 60 Hz television and then upgraded to a 120 Hz will be familiar with that difference. There’s also a matter of lenses involved, as the Quest 3 uses pancake lenses, while the Vision Pro turns to “…custom catadioptric lenses and ZEISS Optical inserts.” Lens shape will almost certainly impact image clarity, distortion rates, and user comfort.
So, Who Comes Out on Top?
A look at the tape suggests that Zuckerberg wasn’t without a point. The higher refresh rate with the Meta Quest 3 will make it better with video of any sort, whether it be a game or a movie. In fact, an early review from Pocket-Lint that compared the two implied that Zuckerberg was half-right.
The Meta Quest 3 is a better all-around unit, Pocket-Lint relates. First, the Quest 3 is vastly less expensive than its Apple counterpart and will offer up a “…good mixture of productivity and gaming” for that far lower price tag. Plus, it has passthrough capabilities to allow for “mixed reality experiences,” which is basically just augmented reality (AR). However, that’s when the “Quest 3 is superior” argument starts to show cracks.
The cameras on the Quest 3’s passthrough functions are said to have “poor low-light performance,” making them difficult to work with in anything but a well-lit room. Further, the Pocket-Lint coverage suggests that the Vision Pro will perform much better, with it considered “…outstanding for entertainment and productivity.” Plus, the Vision Pro will boast features like 360-video that “…will blow you away.” Further coverage from ZDNet reveals that the Apple Vision Pro will provide “…the clearest look into the future,” as well as an unmatched experience for movie buffs.
For most users, the Meta Quest 3 will probably deliver that mix of gaming and entertainment value at a price that’s accessible for most users. A Redditor, when describing his assessment of the debate, noted that the Apple Vision Pro “…will be better, but not seven times better.” And given that, as of January 2023, based on a Bankrate report, only 44% of Americans would pay an emergency expense of $1,000 or more from savings, dropping $3,500 on the best VR/AR headset in town seems like a bridge too far for most.
Which Is the Better Buy, Meta or Apple?
Turning to Wall Street, META stock is the laggard when compared to AAPL. Considered a Strong Buy, META offers an 11.67% upside potential on an average price target of $528.54 per share. Meanwhile, Moderate Buy-rated AAPL offers a 13.37% upside potential against an average price target of $206.68.
