Apple / Meta
Apple ’s Vision Pro is making its big splash this workweek ; in many way , it ’s the first of its kind . The combination of the ultra - crisp 4 K displays , unique gaze - and - tweak user interface , and seamless mixed reality passthrough make for a unique experience in the domain of VR and motley reality .
But Apple ’s hardly alone in its pursuits . We ’re about to see a wave of competitors , many of which wo n’t be able-bodied to correspond the kind of calibre Apple has managed to demonstrate . There are , however , three key challenger that might have the resources to extend a serious challenge to the Vision Pro over the next twelvemonth or so .
Apple/Meta
Sony
Of all the competition lining up behind Apple , Sony ’s projection seems the furthest along . The company ’s VR ambitions have been simmering for several geezerhood , starting with the 2016 PlayStation VR , an appurtenance for the PlayStation 4 cabinet . In 2022,the PSVR 2 get in , a much more powerful solution with advanced displays .
Sonyrecently announced a gamy - answer VR headset with 4K - per - eye OLED display and an advanced user interface . The halo band and rearward battery are reminiscent of Meta ’s Quest Pro , but Sony smartly lend a hinge to the front bill . There ’s no face pressure , so breathability and comfort should be good .
Instead of usinga complex , expensive , and heavy EyeSight display on the front like Apple ’s Vision Pro , you flip up the front of Sony ’s XR headset to interact with others . Sony ’s initiation did n’t quit there . Two unique restrainer provide preciseness and ease when bring . A ring lease you move and turn practical objects , while a style provides accurate pointing and manipulation .
Unlike Apple and Meta , Sony is clearly targeting industrial designers with this novel mixed - reality headset . It includes a flying Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 + Gen 2 chipping but seamlessly mix with a computer pass Siemens Xcelerator software program . Sony does n’t seem to be as interested in targeting consumers as Apple — at least not yet — but that could change as appetite farm over the course of the year . Sony ’s unnamed XR headset is expected to get in later in 2024 .
Samsung
Samsung search VR as far back as 2014 , partnering with Oculus on Gear VR , a headset that required a Samsung Galaxy Note or S - series phone to serve as the show and central processing unit . At only $ 100 , it was a low - monetary value intromission to VR and an easy choice to the much more powerful and expensive Oculus Rift .
Despite selling millions of units , Gear VR was discontinued within a few years . The Oculus Go filled the budget VR gap , and Samsung on the face of it forsake VR for many years .
As rumors of the Vision Pro began to heat up in 2022 , Samsung read it was plainly waitress for the right metre to reenter the market . AtGalaxy Unpacked 2023 , Samsung announce more than just the Galaxy S23 series . Samsung ’s TM Roh shared a teaser that the troupe is partner with Qualcomm and Google on a young XR experience .
The XR space is exploding with potential , and forward - seem tech companies arebusily contrive novel spacial calculation devices for 2024and beyond to take reward of renewed interest and excitement in practical and augmented realness .
When Qualcomm announced its advancedSnapdragon XR2 + Gen 2 , it mention that Samsung would use this processorin its upcoming XR headset . We bang this Qualcomm chip is capable of 4K - per - centre resolve , so you could expect it to be a whole Vision Pro competition , at least visually .
Meta
In 2022 , Meta shock the VR industry by launchingthe Quest Pro , a $ 1,500 stand - alone VR headset design for productiveness . It was a leap forward in hardware in many fashion , but the software system remained largely the same .
The most notable changes were the improver of eye and typeface - tracking sensors and the melioration in Quest mitt - tracking . The headset was even threatening than the Quest 2 , but the battery was moved to the back for better balance , allowing the headset to float above the face , perch only on the os frontale .
In some way , the Quest Pro ’s design is superscript to the Vision Pro ’s , which reside full on your face , even when using the Dual Loop headband . However , the Quest Pro flop , and the party quickly shaved a third off the price to keep it moving .
It ’s a nice headset , but there was n’t enough follow - through in the software from Meta and third - party developers to vindicate the expense as a work - centric twist .
With Apple setting expectations for a premium headset that costs thousands , and with late advances in technology and momentum from nice Quest 3 sale , Meta has an chance to hear again with a Quest Pro 2 . Developmenthad been reportedly paused on it , but if the Vision Pro captures enough interest , it ’s not hard to think that Meta might greenlight a proper sequel . Let ’s hope it can correspond what Apple has reach with its camera passthrough technology .
Meta has show numerous image , some imposingly sparse and light . Meta claims it could make some of these sophisticated headsets today , but the portion costs would drive the price too high .
In 2022,The Informationleaked Meta program for four unexampled headsets , let in one codenamed Funston that would reportedly be a second - generation Quest Pro launch in 2024 . The leak predicted the Quest Pro and Quest 3 , lending credence to this report .
The Vergeshared detail leak from a Meta inner meeting last year . The hypnotism is that Meta is planning a headset with higher closure show and a intention similar to the Quest Pro but with a greater stress on productivity and comfort . Some found the Quest Pro ’s forehead pad to be abominable .
The latest news is confirmation thatLG is wreak on an XR headset , possibly a second - generation Quest Pro . LG is a leave manufacturer of OLED display , which would be a gracious upgrade to the Quest Pro ’s mini - lead backlit liquid crystal display .
So , while there ’s no official news program , it seems all but certain that Meta is hard at work on a rebuttal to the Vision Pro .
The Vision Pro standard
When Apple plunge a merchandise , hardware or software , everyone use up notice . The expectation is that Apple will specify new standard , swaying opinion with its unshakable , prospicient - term visual sense .
The Vision Pro will undoubtedly deepen the VR industryin many ways . The outside battery was unthinkable before Apple did it , and a VR headset without a comptroller was a questionable decision . Those are n’t original idea but were met with skepticism when exhibit by other companies .
It ’s unspoilt to stimulate thing up , and Apple has spread minds and wallet to the outstanding potentiality of virtual and interracial reality , if only under the thin veiled guise ofspatial computing . There are new targets for VR manufacturers to aim at and a significantly larger toll range to do work within . It will be interesting to see what comes from this fresh challenge and if any of these big technical school ship’s company have what it take to compete .
