When we think about virtual reality, products from two tech giants spring to mind: The Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest. These headsets offer immersive experiences that redefine how we interact with technology and entertainment. But which one reigns supreme? Let's delve into the stats and find out.
A quick note on the research: To get these stats, we used our agile insights tool, SBX. We conducted a conversational study with 654 participants across Turkey, India, France and the United States who engage in console or PC games at least once a week.
Apple Vision Pro:
With a commanding presence, Apple vision Pro boasts a stronger awareness among gamers with 65% of them acquainted with its existence. On the flipside, the engagement is quite low with only 21% actively using it and 14% have never heard of it. Nevertheless, 1 in 2 participants think that the Apple Vision Pro is an exciting experience and associate it strongly with ‘virtual reality’ (37%) and ‘augmented reality’ (35%). Price however is a significant barrier, mentioned by 16% of participants.
“The Apple Vision Pro's built-in headphones, or spatial audio as Apple calls it, are equally impressive compared to other devices I've used, even those that cover your entire ear, offering a good balance of frequencies that match the visual immersion delivered by the displays. I've been amazed by how well Apple released it, allowing you to enjoy movies as if you're in a high-end cinema. The content is designed to be immersive, letting me look around or experience in 3D. Even regular movies or 4K YouTube videos appear incredible due to a virtual canvas that gives the perception of an IMAX screen size. The 3D looks are truly breathtaking. I assume gaming will also reach a whole new level with this.” FEMALE, 35, IN
“I believe the Apple Vision Pro is excessively expensive and receives too much hype, especially when there are more affordable and superior alternatives that provide the same level of experience. A particularly disappointing aspect of the Apple Vision Pro is the screen splitting issue that emerges after just a week or two of regular use, which seems to result from the device's glass heating and cooling thermodynamically. In comparison, devices like the Meta Quest and PlayStation VR offer better value. For instance, the Meta Quest 3, priced around $500, delivers high-resolution images, though its main drawback is the battery life.” MALE, 33, US
Meta Quest:
Meta Quest, on the other hand, presents a contrasting narrative. While its usage rate is commendable at 26%, the awareness among gamers lags behind, with 27% yet to discover it and 47% yet to use it. Nonetheless, once experienced, Meta Quest ensures its users ‘realistic immersion’ and ‘entertainment value’, drawing 40% and 38% of consumer interest respectively. Its more affordable price point (starting at $499 vs Vision Pro at $3,499) makes cost less of a barrier for Meta, with only 7% expressing price concern.
“Meta Quest is an excellent VR device that I frequently use, offering a wide array of both free and purchasable apps. Among my favourites is Brushwork, a browser-based app that allows for immersive painting on a virtual canvas, which I find particularly unique for its ability to save and email paintings. I also engage with several fitness apps, including one I believe is called Xfit, which provides an intense workout through boxing drills. Additionally, I utilise Spatial to access my laptop, and my app collection includes a WW1 flying simulator, boxing, Gun Raiders, pool, and a drum game where you play virtual drums. The immersive experience across all these apps is truly enjoyable.” MALE, 45, US
“I believe Meta Quest is a solid choice, particularly as a price-performance product. Even though it competes with Vision Pro regarding technical features, it's more accessible price point makes it stand out as a value for money option.” FEMALE, 22, TR
The Verdict:
In this clash of VR headsets, each contender brings its own strengths to the arena. Apple Vision Pro entices with its visionary approach, promising a world of excitement and innovation. Its use cases expand much further than just gaming and entertainment into areas like remote working and e-commerce to name a few. On the other hand, Meta Quest delivers on the front of immersive entertainment, offering a captivating escape into realms both real and virtual.
As consumers, are you drawn to the charm of Apple's cutting-edge technology that expands the applications of spatial computing, or do you simply seek the immersive entertainment experiences offered by Meta Quest? The choice ultimately boils down to personal preference, priorities and, inevitably, spending power.
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