Mark Zuckerberg faced criticism from Apple fans when he criticized the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro in a video shared on Instagram recently.
However, the CEO of Meta is confident that his comments were appropriate and does not anticipate that this incident will be remembered in the same way as when former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer famously mocked the original iPhone's high price and lack of keyboard.
Mark Zuckerberg Favors Meta's Quest 3
(Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: Facebook co-founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a combined Senate Judiciary and Commerce committee hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill April 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. Zuckerberg, 33, was called to testify after it was reported that 87 million Facebook users had their personal information harvested by Cambridge Analytica, a British political consulting firm linked to the Trump campaign.
Zuckerberg rejected any comparisons to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's infamous dismissal of the original iPhone. "I'm not laughing at them." He clarified his seriousness about Apple during the podcast.
Even though he firmly believes that the Vision Pro is surpassed by Meta's Quest 3, Zuckerberg made it clear that he is not trying to diminish Apple or ignore the possible improvements in upcoming models. "I'm simply presenting the facts as I observe them at this moment," he declared, as per to Benzinga.
In the ongoing competition between Meta's Quest 3 and Apple's Vision Pro in the virtual reality (VR) headset market, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has emphasized the strengths of Meta's offering over its competitor.
Zuckerberg, 39, acknowledges the positive aspects of Meta's product, specifically highlighting the Quest 3's lighter weight, making it more comfortable for extended usage compared to the Vision Pro. He notes a broader field of vision and the absence of a tethered battery pack as contributing factors that enhance mobility for users of the Quest 3.
While Zuckerberg appreciates eye tracking for specific applications, he leans towards the Quest's combination of physical hand controllers and hand tracking for input, deeming it superior. Despite conceding that the Vision Pro excels as an entertainment device, he argues that the Quest's "immersive" content catalog surpasses that of Apple, a point he claims is technically accurate.
Notably, Zuckerberg underscores the affordability factor, stating that the Quest 3 is "like seven times less expensive" than the Vision Pro. The Vision Pro is priced at $3,500, whereas Meta's Quest headset is available at $500. In the UK, where the Vision Pro is not currently sold, the Meta Quest 3 is priced at $603, according to Evening Standard.
This is not the first instance where Zuckerberg has expressed reservations about Apple's VR headsets. Following the Vision Pro's announcement in June 2023, Zuckerberg downplayed its potential impact, emphasizing the high cost and stating that Meta's teams had already considered solutions to limitations on laws and physics.
Zuckerberg's perspective on media coverage reflects his belief that assumptions about Apple's product superiority are driven by its brand and cost, overlooking the value proposition offered by the Quest 3 in terms of pricing.
Apple's Vision Pro made its debut on Feb. 2 as the company's inaugural VR headset, while Meta's Quest was introduced in 2019, with the Quest 3 launching in 2023.
Responding to critics, Zuckerberg maintains that he takes Apple seriously as a company but asserts that Meta, as a rapidly moving entity, is poised to improve and innovate at a swift pace. He anticipates Meta's agility will enable them to outpace their competitors, including Apple.
However, not everyone shares Zuckerberg's viewpoint. A Wall Street Journal Technology Columnist labeled Apple's Vision Pro as "the best headset yet."
Representatives for Apple have not provided immediate comments on Zuckerberg's assertions. Meta, on the other hand, has been a standout performer on Wall Street, experiencing a 34.63% increase in stock value this year, in stark contrast to Apple Inc.'s 4.87% decline. The VR headset competition continues to unfold, capturing the attention of both consumers and investors alike, Market Watch reported.
