The first-ever virtual reality headset called the Sword of Damocles, was designed in 1968 by Ivan Sutherland and Bob Sproull at the University of Utah. It was a primitive head mount connected to a computer rather than a camera and could only show simple virtual wireframe shapes.
Since then, VR headsets have undergone a sea change in terms of their design, capabilities, and availability. Today, companies like Apple and Meta offer some of the newest VR and spatial computing technology in the form of their Vision Pro and Quest 3 VR headsets, respectively. These are quite versatile platforms that are far removed not just from 1960s VR, but also contemporary perceptions of VR technology.
In other words, these aren’t just VR add-ons for gaming and entertainment. They both introduce ideas that will shape the VR landscape for years to come. Here’s a rundown of the newest VR headset technology available in the market.
Meta Quest 3
The first Meta Quest was launched in 2019 under the name Oculus Quest. Its successor, Oculus Quest 2, later rebranded to Meta Quest 2, was arguably the best VR headset of its time.
Its latest iteration, Meta Quest 3, was launched in October 2023 and has proved to be an outstanding addition to the series. Like its predecessors, it’s priced very cost-effectively at $500. However, unlike its predecessors, Quest 3 offers genuine mixed reality (MR) experiences that have completely elevated the platform and opened up new avenues for its application.
This newest MR technology, called Passthrough, lets you step out of a VR simulation and see a real-time view of your surroundings. Basically, you see what you would see without a headset on, but with added digital elements to level up the experience. Passthrough only works with Quest 3 and Quest Pro headsets.
The Quest 3’s color camera is also a significant upgrade from Quest 2’s black-and-white cameras, but the feed is less than high-definition. It’s still good enough to run a gamut of apps from fitness to work and entertainment. It also features smaller controllers with better haptics for improved interactivity.
And of course, Meta’s newest VR technology comes with access to the Meta Quest platform, which has hundreds of games and creativity and productivity built-in. The Quest 3 seamlessly connects to PCs and is quite effective as a VR collaboration tool.
Apple Vision Pro
The Vision Pro is Apple’s first foray into 3D spatial computing and it’s fair to say they’ve done an impressive job. It’s a cutting-edge, high-end headset that features 4K micro-OLED screens and can display media in stunning high-definition. It offers next-level clarity and fidelity and is likely to be a game-changer for companies that want to deliver more immersive VR experiences.
Launched in January 2024, the Vision Pro is also the newest piece of VR technology in the market with most of the bells and whistles you expect. As with Quest 3, this too is also an MR-enabled device that runs thousands of iPad apps.
However, unlike the Quest 3, the Vision Pro can run multiple apps at the same time and doubles up as a virtual MacBook monitor. It’s also priced significantly higher at $3,500. As with most Apple products, it runs on iOS and is built to work only within Apple’s ecosystem. This isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Vision Pro does what no other platform can by folding in almost all of iOS. If you’re an Apple user, you now have access to all of the familiar Apple services and apps that are a part of your daily routine, in high-definition VR.
The Verdict
With both of these newest pieces of VR technology now out for trial, which one impresses the most?
The truth is both have their individual strengths. The Vision Pro’s display is truly phenomenal. It plays movies incredibly well, offers better MR experiences, and enables spatial computing with matchless clarity. The Apple Vision Pro also makes a lot of sense to buy for existing iOS users who want to integrate extended reality into their workflow or personal lives.
However, at its current price, it’s seven times as expensive as the Quest 3. The Vision Pro is also built using a curved glass display and an aluminum frame compared to Quest 3’s durable plastic casing. This makes it more fragile and heavier on the head than the Quest 3. The Vision Pro also relies on a connected battery back to function.
All in all, which of the two newest VR technology headsets you go for depends on your use of it. If you’re looking for a new headset simply for gaming, fitness, or low-res collaboration, Quest 3 is an ideal, cost-effective option for you. If it’s the immersive experiences you’re looking for as well as access to the iOS ecosystem, the Vision Pro is your choice.
Create Next-Level VR Experiences With King Crow Studios
King Crow Studios is an industry leader in the extended reality space and the preferred VR training partner for some of the nation’s leading enterprises and government departments. We employ the newest VR technology to provide unrivaled fidelity and immersion for your users. As a platform-agnostic company, our programs are compatible with any device, including Meta and Apple’s spatial computing platforms. Schedule a consultation to learn more about our solutions.