Apple announced the Apple Vision Pro on June 5, 2023, at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, California. The headset is scheduled to be released in early 2024 in the United States and later that year internationally.1
The Vision Pro is Apple’s first product in another major category since the Apple Watch in 2015. It is a mixed-reality headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) capabilities. The headset has two 4K displays, a powerful processor, and a variety of sensors that allow users to interact with digital content in what Apple claims is a “natural way.”
Source: https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro
Apple also said that the device will be available for purchase starting early 2024, at $3,499.
It is also expected to be a powerful and versatile device that can be used for various applications, including gaming, productivity, and education.
Apple claims that this will replace smartphones in the future, but the question of whether the VisionPro will also be another iteration of AR glasses made in the past by Google and Microsoft remains to be seen.
When analyzing and comparing this data you should also consider that specs alone don’t necessarily give an overview of the overall performance. It all depends on how well the product has been optimized with its other components, especially its UI and longevity.
But as you can see, the prices of the Vision Pro, the HoloLens 2 and the Magic Leap 2 are more or less similar and are at the higher end of the price spectrum and, therefore, don’t necessarily target the general public as a whole, while the VIVE XR Elite stands in the middle ground. But VIVE is also priced closer to the expensive category. The PlayStation VR2 is more affordable than others as its target audience is the general gaming community.
How does it compare when it comes to features?
First, let us list some of the features of Vision Pro that make it stand out amongst its competitors.
- A powerful M2 chip that will provide the performance needed for demanding AR applications.
- A varifocal display that will provide a more natural and immersive AR experience.
- Hand tracking and eye tracking will allow users to interact with AR content more naturally and conveniently.
- A broader range of views will make using augmented reality more immersive.
- Made of quality materials to maintain structural integrity and to give a sleek look.
The following are the features of other AR glasses compared to the Apple Vision Pro.
Features of the Microsoft HoloLens 2
Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/hololens-2/91pnzzznzwcp?activetab=pivot:overviewtab
- A holographic display that projects images into the real world.
- Users can interact with AR content via voice commands and hand tracking.
- A spatial mapping technology that is already incorporated into the headset allows it to track its location in the real world.
- A durable design that can withstand the rigors of everyday use.
Features of the Magic Leap 2
Source: https://www.magicleap.com/magic-leap-2
- A high-resolution display that provides a clear and sharp AR experience.
- A broad range of views enhances the immersion of Augmented Reality.
- A built-in eye tracker that allows the headset to track the user’s gaze.
- A design that is comfortable and appropriate for long-term wear
Features of the VIVE XR Elite
Source: https://www.vive.com/sea/product/vive-xr-elite/overview
A high-resolution display that provides a clear and sharp VR experience.
- A broad field of view that enhances the VR experience.
- Comfortable design.
- Several tracking sensors allow the headset to track the user’s movement in the real world.
Features of the Sony PlayStation VR2
Source: https://www.playstation.com/en-sg/ps-vr2/
- A high-resolution display that provides a clear and sharp VR experience.
- A wide field of view that provides a more immersive VR experience.
- Haptic feedback allows users to feel the effects of the game in the real world.
However, the PlayStation VR is made so that it can be integrated with PlayStation consoles, so you will not be able to use it without a PlayStation 5 console.
As you can see, almost all the above devices have similar features, but as mentioned earlier, it’s about how well these devices hold up after a prolonged period and how well they have been optimized.
Which is the best option for you?
As you can see, the Apple Vision Pro and the Microsoft HoloLens 2 are the most expensive AR headsets on this list. However, the Magic Leap 2 and the VIVE XR Elite offer somewhat similarly good features and performance at a lower price where the XR Elite is less than 1/3rd2 the price of the other three devices.
And then there’s the PlayStation VR2 which is only $549 ((Play Station: Buy PlayStation VR2 Now | PlayStation®), but it can only be used with a PlayStation 5 console which generally hovers around the price range of $400 – $500, so it will cost around $1,000 as a whole in order to use the device.
The best AR headset for you will depend on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a high-end headset with the latest features, then the Apple Vision Pro but since it hasn’t been released yet it would be better to wait until its release and see what its hands-on experience will be like- especially if you are going to spend $3K it is better to wait until its release rather than pre-ordering.
However, if you are on a budget or looking for a gaming headset, then the VIVE XR Elite is the thing to go. If you are looking for a high-end VR headset for gaming, the PlayStation VR2 is a great option.
- WWDC: (35) WWDC 2023 — June 5 | Apple – YouTube[↩]
- Amazon: Amazon.com: HTC Vive XR Elite Virtual Reality Headset + Controllers : Video Games[↩]
