Summary
There is a wide variety of other excellent virtual reality headsets available to pick from, despite the fact that the Vision Pro is an excellent piece of technology that was developed expressly to integrate with Apple’s ecosystem.
Alternatives to the Vision Pro
Although they provide comparable experiences, many are more affordable. Even a handful of them go so far as to compete directly with Apple, matching or even surpassing the superior technology of the Vision Pro.
This article will provide you with five headsets that you should purchase instead of the Vision Pro, along with the reasons why you may prefer them over Apple’s spatial computer.
Immersed Visor
You may want to have a look at a new headgear that is being developed by a virtual reality app developer if you are able to wait a few months. Immersed is a well-known virtual reality desktop application that can be downloaded on the Meta Quest platform. Additionally, it has just been accessible for use with the Apple Vision Pro.
A virtual reality headgear that is very lightweight and seems more like a pair of athletic glasses is called the Immersed Visor. The company Immersed believes that despite its diminutive size, it will be able to replicate many of the greatest features of the Vision Pro at a tenth of the cost.
We would all want to see a virtual reality headgear that is more lightweight. Even though the Vision Pro is a fantastic device, it is just too hefty.
I can’t wait to put this virtual reality headgear to the test. Eye-tracking, 4K-per-eye micro-OLED screens, and the ability to run applications in both standalone and PC VR modes are further features of the Visor, which can be purchased for around $1,000. The Visor is expected to be released by Immersed this year, and the company is already taking preorders. The Visor is certainly something you should keep an eye out for, even if you are unable to purchase it just yet.
Meta Quest Pro
In light of the fact that Apple’s Vision Pro is more of a virtual reality (VR) gaming system than a productivity gear, it could be more appropriate to compare it to Meta’s VR headset that is focused on work. When Meta introduced the Quest Pro in 2022, the intention was to utilize it as a solution for working from home or in the workplace with your PC.
Despite the fact that the Quest Pro was not a suitable substitute for a laptop in 2022, the Quest platform has made significant progress over the last two years or so. The Quest operating system, which is now known as Horizon OS, and Meta’s browser are both far more competent than they were before.
As an example, you are now able to download photos, copy and paste text, and swipe in text on the virtual keyboard, all of which were previously difficult to do. When it comes to working in virtual reality, the Quest Pro is becoming an attractive choice due to the introduction of many new productivity options, such as the Fluid freeform browser, the Softspace note-taking software, and the Campfire design review tool.
In the realm of technology, one year may make a significant difference, and the Quest Pro, which costs $1,000, is not as good as the Quest 3 in terms of performance and graphical quality. If you are comparing its specs to those of Apple’s Vision Pro, you should not bother.
On the other hand, the fantastic applications and unparalleled comfort are what keep me coming back to this headset. Due to the one-of-a-kind design of the Quest Pro, the battery is positioned at the rear for the purpose of achieving equilibrium. Additionally, the display is suspended in front of my eyes, leaving space for my face to breathe, which eliminates strain on the cheeks.
Pimax Crystal
In the year 2023, the Pimax Crystal was able to unseat the Varjo Aero as the consumer virtual reality headset that was considered to be the most advanced. With screens that have 8 megapixels per eye, it has a resolution that is 80% higher than the finest that Meta has to offer.
Even if Apple upped the bar in 2024, the Crystal is still superior to the majority of competing virtual reality headsets in terms of clarity. However, at a price of $1,600, it is not stunning enough for aficionados who are prepared to pay more money, and it is too pricey for typical virtual reality consumers. In response to the fast evolving virtual reality (VR) industry, Pimax has introduced two new variations, both of which are personal computer (PC) VR headsets that need a gaming PC.
The Crystal Light, which costs $700, is lighter than the original, but it retains many of the greatest characteristics of the original at a much more affordable price. A high-end option that starts at $1,800 and features screens with 14.7 megapixels per eye, the Pimax Crystal Super is a product worthy of consideration. Due to the fact that micro-OLED screens are used in so few virtual reality headsets, this advancement is noteworthy. It’s possible that the display on the Crystal Super might appear just as nice as Apple’s Vision Pro if it had deeper blacks and more brilliant colors.
I have not yet tried either the Pimax Light or the Pimax Super, but I found the previous model to be rather amazing. You are able to preorder and reserve the additional versions, which Pimax anticipates will be sent later this year, even though the Pimax Crystal is now available for purchase.
Varjo XR-4
When you are looking for a virtual reality headset, the price of the Vision Pro should not be a concern for you if money is not a restricting issue. The fact that it is priced at a premium does not necessarily indicate that it is the finest that money can buy.
In the month of January 2023, I was completely swept away by Varjo’s Aero headgear. Because virtual reality technology has been advancing at such a rapid pace over the last several months, its most sophisticated technology has already been exceeded.
Take a look at Varjo’s XR-4, a virtual reality headset for personal computers that is targeted for business customers and has a greater resolution than the Vision Pro. The screens on the XR-4 show 14.3 megapixels for each eye, which is around 15% greater than the headset that Apple offers.
Even though I have not yet had the opportunity to test out Varjo’s most advanced headset, I can say that the color passthrough cameras are technically superior. The XR-4 has two cameras with a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Vision Pro only has a resolution of 6.5 megapixels. It is possible that you already own a powerful Windows computer with a powerful graphics card if you are able to buy one of these virtual reality headsets. Due to the absence of a standalone mode, the Varjo XR-4 necessitates that you fulfill this condition.
It is important to do extensive study before making a buying choice since the Varjo XR-4 costs $3,990. The XR-4 is a strong candidate for virtual reality (VR) enthusiasts who are serious about the technology and who demand the finest for PC productivity and realistic simulations.
Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3 is an improvement on every facet of the Quest 2, which is the most popular virtual reality headset in the world, and it accomplishes it while maintaining a cheap price point. You can obtain a fantastic mixed-reality experience for the price of $500, which is superior than the Vision Pro in certain respects.
The Quest 3, which costs $500, is unable to compete with the performance of the M2 chip that powers the Vision Pro, which costs $3,500, or with the clarity of the 12.5-megapixel-per-eye displays since it is only sixth of the price. It is not even possible to compare the specs of Apple’s headset since the company crammed so much technology into it.
On the other hand, the Quest 3 is the greatest virtual reality headset can be purchased at a reasonable price. It comes with a big and varied game library that no other manufacturer can match. According to the CEO of Meta, the Quest 3 is capable of matching many of the capabilities of the Vision Pro, but with a lower level of clarity and a lack of 2D applications.
Once again, the Quest 3 comes out on top if you are interested in the concept of working out in virtual reality. The main virtual reality (VR) fitness software is Supernatural, which is owned by Meta. Additionally, the Meta shop has forty additional products that include a variety of gamified exercises, sports simulations, and meditation. When compared to other virtual reality headsets, Meta has a significant edge because to its extensive library of games, applications, and experiences. Additionally, you may connect to your computer in order to play games, Steam VR, and Xbox titles that are streamed via Game Pass.
Wait for the Vision Pro 2?
Either the Vision Pro 2 or the Vision Pro Lite might be considered the best alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro service. The Vision Pro began with the clearest screens and the most powerful CPU for standalone usage, despite the fact that we are constantly looking for improvements in performance and graphics quality in regular virtual reality headsets.
A model that is both less priced and lighter is what I’m looking for. In order for Apple to remove both of these things from my wish list, the company would have to eliminate certain functionality and potentially utilize less quality materials. It is possible that a more compact and affordable device might be achieved by removing the front-facing EyeSight display, switching to a CPU from the A-series, and incorporating some plastic into the design.
A second-generation Vision Pro is expected to be released more than a year from now, according to some recent sources, with others pointing to 2026 or even beyond. Despite the fact that Apple has not disclosed any other spatial computers, the company has only recently introduced the Vision Pro.
When you are enthused about what is offered right now, it is a much longer time to wait than you would want. If you are OK with a headset manufactured by Apple as the sole alternative available to you, then the Vision Pro could still be the best option for you.
