In a video, Mark Zuckerberg shares his thoughts on the Vision Pro, saying Quest 3 “is the better product, period”, highlighting Apple's tradeoffs, and more

Now that it can be strapped to our faces and worn in strange places, opinions about Apple's Vision Pro are flying left and right.

The Verge 2024-02-14 Alex Heath

Context & Ripple Effects

Zuckerberg had previously described Apple's headset as a possible future-computing vision while distancing Meta from that particular vision; this video turns that strategic contrast into a direct product comparison. His position also drew a warning that the comparison could become a “Ballmer laughs off the iPhone” moment, underscoring the risk of judging an early platform solely on today’s product tradeoffs.

Follow-up coverage focused on how Vision Pro’s single-user setup limits its multiuser promise, making the dispute about more than specifications: it is also about which use cases and social behaviors each company is optimizing for.

First-order effects

Meta gains a clear public message for Quest 3: Zuckerberg is positioning it as the stronger overall choice today rather than merely a cheaper alternative.
Apple’s Vision Pro tradeoffs become a more explicit competitive talking point, while Apple faces scrutiny over whether its product design supports shared use.

Second-order effects

The comparison raises the bar for both companies to demonstrate real-world use cases, not just headset capabilities; each will be judged against the other’s distinct product priorities.
Developers and prospective buyers receive a sharper signal that the two platforms may be competing on different definitions of value, which can influence where attention and software support concentrate.

Third-order effects

If this framing persists, mixed-reality competition may divide between products optimized for broad present-day utility and products built to establish a longer-term computing model—an instance of Meta’s earlier rejection of Apple’s preferred future.
The lasting winner will depend less on executive claims than on whether either platform resolves constraints around everyday and shared use; the coverage offers no evidence yet that this question is settled.

The trend: Spatial computing is developing through competing product philosophies: immediate mainstream utility versus a more ambitious, tightly defined vision of personal computing.

Discussion

@benedictevans Benedict Evans on threads
You can debate what Zuck says about the Vision Pro, but the fact that he's doing this kind of unfiltered discussion of the market is really interesting from the CEO and founder (and product leader) of a giant company. It's also what you used to see on Twitter a long time ago. ht…
@jank0 Janko Roettgers on threads
Here's how you can tell that Meta has been building this kind of hardware a lot longer that Apple: MR footage captured with the Quest 3 looks better than it does when you're wearing the headset, while Vision Pro screenshots look worse than the same thing does in headset.
@reckless1280 Nilay Patel on threads
I am begging Tim Cool to review WebEx
@eshumarneedi @eshumarneedi on threads
I love how Zuckerberg said with a straight face that the Quest's hand tracking is better than Apple Vision Pro.
@alexheath Alex Heath on threads
more CEOs reviewing their competitors' products plz https://www.theverge.com/...
@jaymayo_vrtist Jay Mayo on threads
@zuck posted a video on Instagram that was recorded on a Quest 3. The capture is in-line with the quality, but what I don't believe for a bit is the audio—you cannot capture IRL audio on the Quest 3. Believe me I tried:
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on threads
@zuck thinks Meta's Quest devices are better than Apple's Vision Pro “After using it, I don't just think Quest is the better value. I think Quest is the better product. Period.”
@supremebagholder @supremebagholder on threads
Im a meta fanboy but I must admit that I can't handle the wrapping on the quest 3's passthrough
@supremebagholder @supremebagholder on threads
“Quest isn't just the best value, it's the best product period” comparing the quest 3 to the Vision Pro. You tell em @zuck !
@jeffbowen Jeff Bowen on threads
It has been interesting to see in the Vision Pro reviews and discussion the mindshare advantage that Apple has, at least among the media and fanboys. I've seen reviewers talk about several features the Vision Pro either has or is missing that the Quest 3 already has. Ultimately…
@kalihays1 Kali Hays on threads
One of the only even kinda nice things he says lmao: “Now apples screen does have a higher resolution and thats really nice, but i was surprised by how many trade offs they had to make in the quality of the device — in comfort and ergonomics and other aspects of the display and a…
@mkarolian Matthew Karolian on threads
I think we can all agree that Apple and Meta competing in this space is going to lead to more innovation and ultimately better choices for the consumer. Game on!
@katw408 @katw408 on threads
That requires another computer. The Vision Pro IS a computer. You don't need to connect it to anything. You can but you don't have to.
@drewje Drew Jennings on threads
Have either of you used a quest? You don't need a computer to run apps or browse the web, etc. You don't need to tether it to a computer. You can, and I have to use it as a VR headset for MS Flight Simulator. It's pretty amazing, and I'm just talking about the Q2
@thealabasterslim @thealabasterslim on threads
A large cause of that is the size of what you're viewing. Look at a video on your phone, then take that same video, without upscaling it and have it fill your field of vision.
@katw408 @katw408 on threads
But isn't Quest for gaming? The Vision Pro is an Apple computer. It can do everything a computer can do, including gaming.
@redactedfella @redactedfella on threads
You can do some similar things on the quest, too. You just link it to a Mac or a PC
@yasharali @yasharali on threads
Mark Zuckerberg says he finally got a chance to test out Apple's new Vision Pro and he says, unsurprisingly, that Meta's Quest is not only the better value but also offers better features.
@kalihays1 Kali Hays on threads
Zuckerberg reviews Apple Vision Pro: “I have to say that before this, I expected that quest would be the better value for most people since …
@daveleebbg Dave Lee on threads
Would you agree, though, that the passthrough you see in real time is much worse in quality than the video it creates to view later? It's a huge difference if you ask me.
@boztank Andrew Bosworth on threads
Agree strongly with Mark here. I expected to embrace Quest 3 as the better value at 7x cheaper but I was wrong. It is the better headset. Period. https://www.instagram.com/...
@annmlipton.bsky.social Ann M. Lipton on bluesky
did he challenge tim cook to a cage match? [embedded post]
@pitdesi Sheel Mohnot on x
Zuck on the Apple Vision Pro He's still got fire in him, love to see it [video]
@iansherr Ian Sherr on x
Remember when he said the iPad wasn't mobile, it was just a computer?
@compound248 @compound248 on x
Zuck's beautifully passive aggressive review of Apple Vision Pro's many deficiencies vs Meta Quest is art. [video]
@andrewhartar Andrew Hart on x
The competition in this market is great. Quest's big missing feature is an OS with consistent UI and app frameworks. “You can get big windows” is Zuck's version of Ballmer's “Windows phone is a fine device. It can do email. It can do messages.” [video]
@cuntycakes123 @cuntycakes123 on x
zuck is such a legend: got more money than anyone in history at his age, wears the same plain shirt every day, trains mma, hangs out with his wife and kids, farms some balling cows for delicious beef just for the fun of it.
@varunramg Varunram Ganesh on x
Zuck coming straight for Apple's throat. All of what he says is valid, no marketing hype whatsoever involved, like a neutral tech reviewer. The problem for Apple is: - Tim Cook is 63, Zuck is 39, best case scenario for Tim Cook is another five years, Zuck can easily outlive the..…
@growing_daniel Daniel on x
jiu jitsu era zuck would've stared down the first reporter who asked about Cambridge Analytica and the scandal would've died immediately
@bitcloud @bitcloud on x
The Quest hardware is beautiful. The software needs to be updated to compete directly with Apple Vision Pro. 1. Realtime, go anywhere SLAM 2. Home environment needs to spawn Android apps 3. Need to fix warping (urgently) 4. Record video plus depth for spatial replay
@petersciretta Peter Sciretta on x
Say what you will about the price of AVP or even some of the points Zuck gets right here, but I'm reminded of this, almost like history repeating itself. https://www.youtube.com/...
@_augustine_f Augustine F. on x
This is what tech was about, everyone shitting on the other guys product and specs. This is why some of us joined tech. The thrill was there. Now everyone is talking about being the next Jesus, making the world a better place. Take Tech to this era!!! [video]
@shivaroor Shiv Aroor on x
Sounds more like Zuckerberg's wishful thinking than fact after Meta's multiple misses. Apple users have proven more than willing to trade functionality niggles for aesthetics/ergonomics. Will especially apply to the mixed reality headsets paradigm IMO. [video]
@plinz Joscha Bach on x
At the moment, the Quest is much better for gaming, social apps and as a toy. It's more comfortable to wear and the controllers work well. The Vision Pro has better hardware and is an excellent 3D TV, but the Quest is the better product for most use cases.
@0xmert_ Mert on x
Zuck renamed literally the entire company to focus on AR/VR Meta is also founder-led instead of bureaucrat-led I think everyone is sleeping on Zuck dominating this category in the next 5 years the quest 2 is a great device
@nuancerocket @nuancerocket on x
you think this is a game? [image]
@iamdcinvestor @iamdcinvestor on x
Zuck says it: “Meta is going to to be the open model” in AR/VR first big wave of tech (PC) was Microsoft vs Apple (sorta) second one (mobile) has been Apple vs Google third one seems like it's going to be Meta vs Apple the AR/VR arms race (for hearts and minds) is on
@ifesobog Ife on x
Tbf Quest has always been the better device but I don't think you're going to convince anyone that was already willing to spend $3500 on a first-gen moderately-capable Apple ecosystem VR headset against making that decision.
@nw3 Nick Walker on x
This is the biggest endorsement of sports I've ever seen. In 5 to 10 years it will be hard to convince anyone he used to be a dork.
@tomchapin Thomas H. Chapin IV on x
In case anyone is curious, I returned my Apple Vision Pro today. They have built an amazing product, but it is seriously lacking in a number of areas. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they address these issues in the next version: 1. Too heavy/uncomfortable (no matter...
@satyanutella_ Satya Nutella on x
Zuck just acts a lot more human when beefing with someone its the fake diplomacy that gives off lizard vibes
@savinthebees @savinthebees on x
I like this version of Zuck He started doing MMA and seems more human. Still a lizard tho but maybe we can learn to live with us humans 🙏
@psythor James O'Malley on x
Fascinating video. Not just because it exists at all (is someone worried about shareholders?), but because it drops in a massive concession: That eye-tracking is going to be how these things work now. He says Meta is going to bring back eye-tracking after removing before.
@khanstopme Taha on x
this is the most normal i have ever seen him act
@helvetiica @helvetiica on x
Can you imagine Tim Cook doing a review on the Quest?
@divine_economy David Phelps on x
i want to apologize to my friends and family that i'm about to be that tech bro, but zuck's insight that “every era has an open and closed model—closed won mobile but open won PC, and i believe open will win the next” is not only brilliant but even more bullish for crypto than VR
@t3dotgg Theo on x
Alternative angle: BlackBerry could have made a similar video about the iPhone when it dropped
@tobi Tobi Lutke on x
Great message, lots of good points
@levelsio @levelsio on x
MMA turned him from an awkward nervous wreck into a a confident fluent nice to listen to guy Power of the gym
@tina__nigro Tina Debove Nigro on x
Like watching a 2007 Nokia fan telling you iPhone is not that advanced because you can do the same with Symbian. He could've just said nothing, taken the best things of visionOS, add eye tracking back and be a king. Now he's got his own Ballmer iPhone video. Surprising misstep
@thestalwart Joe Weisenthal on x
The Zuckerberg video is really good. As a shareholder of both Apple and Meta (through an S&P 500 index fund), I wish they would collude instead of compete. But still it's cool to CEO so overtly combative towards a rival.
@teej_dv @teej_dv on x
did i just become team zuck w/ one video??
@iupdate Sam Kohl on x
It's insane how many people are celebrating this video Hope y'all are just as loud when meta sells your eye tracking data in 5 years and calls it an accident 👍
@dvassallo Daniel Vassallo on x
Watch this three and a half minute video from Zuckerberg and note all the things that add to his charisma. One take, casual, (almost) zero editing, scrappy setup in his living room, praises competitor's strengths, talks in terms of trade-offs, and many other small things.
@creatine_cycle Atlas on x
Zuck, the trad brazilian jiu jitsu sub 40 minute murph asian wife chad comes out and absolutely mogs lgbtq-friendly chinese sweatshop soy single tim cook
@lulumeservey Lulu Cheng Meservey on x
This isn't just good comms It's only possible with a founder-led company No professional CEO would take it this personally
@twthereddragon @twthereddragon on x
Usually don't care for zuck, but I like this format of straight up comparing your product to your opponent's and explaining why yours is better I think Quest marketing has failed in explaining how almost everything people are raving about on vision pro is possible on Meta and a..…
@danieldibartolo Daniel Di Bartolo on x
I'm once again telling you that Zuckerberg is an absolute terminator. Love the unapologetic, honest assessment of where Quest beats Vision Pro, where it's better; where it's a better value, where it falls short. If I worked for Zuck I'd be so pumped right now.
@rikarends Rik Arends on x
Having both the vision pro and the quest 3 zuck is absolutely correct on everything in his video. Also why not tell the world personally. It's true.
@alexfinnx Alex Finn on x
I've used both and I think the Vision Pro is far superior. Apple ecosystem is the main reason, but the high fidelity screen and superior hand tracking make the device feel like the future The Quest feels like an Xbox Love Zuck not being a lizard tho [video]
@liber_rex Garrett Dailey on x
Zuck really is this generation's spiritual Bill Gates. This is a great video as far as establishing the differentiation, so for consumers who care more about price, it will be effective. However, the extreme price of Vision Pro is part of the value prop: walking around with...
@rabovitz Rony Abovitz on x
The Zuck/Meta vs. Tim/Apple XR battle is interesting. Zuck is super, insanely committed to XR and the idea of the Metaverse. Apple will get a bunch of things right over time, but Zuck is a bit more native to it - he lives and breathes it. But - Apple is Apple - so this may be a..…
@esaagar Saagar Enjeti on x
Nothing but respect to Zuck fighting for his product but he skips over productivity applications which makes Vision Pro a 10X for work related activity and justifies price point Quest is an entertainment device and priced accordingly. Vision Pro is a full suite
@marckohlbrugge Marc Köhlbrugge on x
“500 dollars? Fully subsidized? With a plan? I said that is the most expensive phone in the world. And it doesn't appeal to business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard. Which makes it not a very good email machine.” - Steve Ballmer about iPhone [video]
@leokelion Leo Kelion on x
As the owner of 2 Quests and no Pro: love FB's headsets but they go months at a time unused. Part of the problem is that I need to clear space to use them (screens/cats!). A key attraction to the Pro is that it's designed to be used sitting down in 1 space. Counterintuitive.
@yacinemtb Kache on x
[image]
@snazzylabs @snazzylabs on x
Mark is right about a lot of things. On the whole, I'd say the Quest does what it does better than the Apple Vision Pro. I do not agree with the Quest being the “open platform.” It has been equally as closed for years save for the inherent “openness” that comes from Android.
@gregisenberg Greg Isenberg on x
...My biggest takeaway: The future of ads feels like his IG post. This is real. No marketing talk, just saying it as it is. Zuck's Apple Vision Pro feels like I'm listening to a tech reviewer not a guy worth $165B. I feel like I'm having a convo in a living room with my frien…
@ugo_alves Hugo Alves on x
@pitdesi Can you imagine Tim Cook doing a video about Quest?
@soro @soro on x
Say what you want about Zuck, big tech, etc.. loving the energy and passion of this piece on Apple's Vision Pro vs Meta's Quest. Founder led businesses all the way 🏆 h/t @pitdesi [video]
@typesfast Ryan Petersen on x
@pitdesi seems like learning to cage fight made him a more confident public speaker too, maybe because now he knows the crowd is there to follow him into combat, not scapegoat murder him.
@growing_daniel Daniel on x
He fried Apple's ass here. Honestly insane the CEO of a company of Meta's size would just shoot a video on his couch clearly impromptu and upload it and just absolutely wreck. What a king.
@bmfshow Matt on x
The Zuck firing shots 🔫 [video]
@ylecun Yann LeCun on x
Alright guys.... Quest vs Vision Pro: - Quest-3 is not just a better value, it's a better product. - open vs closed ecosystem.
@alistairmcleay Alistair McLeay on x
Zuck dissing the Apple Vision Pro. Dude still has that dawg in him. [video]
@shakeelhashim Shakeel on x
Hard disagree, and it seems like he doesn't get *why* people find the Vision Pro so magical (and why no one's had the same “omg” reaction to Meta's headsets). Obsessive focus on tech specs, no attention to UX/design. Gives me BlackBerry in 2008 energy.
@ibrews Alex Coulombe on x
Most of what he's saying is true (exception being Meta is far from an open platform), but the way he presents it feels petty & insecure. To stand a chance at improving public perception, Meta needs a charismatic spokesperson to be the face of their efforts that, well, isn't Zuck.
@emilychangtv Emily Chang on x
Anyone want to argue with Zuck saying Quest is “better and 7x less expensive” than the Vision Pro? https://www.instagram.com/...
@alexeheath Alex Heath on x
Zuckerberg on IG today: “I finally tried Apple's Vision Pro. And you know I have to say that, before this, I expected that Quest would be the better value for most people since it's like really good and it's like seven times less expensive. But after using it, I just don't think.…
@benbajarin Ben Bajarin on x
Zuck makes some good points here. Better at specific things vs. better overall is a key distinction. He also confirms that Meta will, at some point, let others build headsets with Quest OS. Which is essential if he wants “open” to win.
@adrienle Adrien Ecoffet on x
What does Zuck mean by open model at the end here? He seems to think that Microsoft had an open approach to computing in the PC era so clearly it's not the same thing as open source
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
This is fantastic. Anyone who says this is anything less misunderstands the dynamic and where the technology is in the arc. This is spectacular as a leader and deep as a product person. 💥 [video]
@getpeid Carl Pei on x
See you in the arena Zuck, trying stuff.
@mikeisaac Rat King on x
@Frel_ i haven't tried it so can't say either way but none of his criticisms feel widely off base to me compared to what ive seen in writeups
@basedbeffjezos @basedbeffjezos on x
Zuck is still an active player. Love to see it. Open model (Quest) vs Closed (Apple Vision). Let's see who wins long term! [video]
@cesarberardini Cæsar on x
600 apps at launch and now, 3 weeks later, over 1,000 @Apple #VisionPro and counting.
@reambraden Braden Ream on x
@pitdesi Yeah I love when founders do this. Long FB
@ianzelbo Ian Zelbo on x
@pitdesi He lost me at hand tracking is better on quest lmao
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
@Scobleizer There are always two platforms. Right now it reminds me of Mac versus PC. The good games are on Meta Quest 3 right now. Hopefully Apple gets there with the games, but if that's what you care about most Vision Pro isn't there yet but it does other things very well
@mikeisaac Rat King on x
mark Zuckerberg diss track on the Apple Vision Pro https://www.instagram.com/...
@nikitabier Nikita Bier on x
@kavinstewart Better to explain it in Star Wars terms: A New Hope - The empire launches the iPhone when Zuck, a 22 year old, is running a college flirting website Return of the Jedi - Jiu jitsu dad has been training for this day on a remote island in the Pacific
@michael_vandi Michael Vandi on x
Zuck via Instagram “I finally tried Apple's Vision Pro but after using it, I think that Quest is the better product period!” this feels like 2004 Zuck - in the arena throwing punches. Love it! [video]
@kristineberth Kristin on x
props to zuck and the meta marketing team, this goes harder than a heavily produced ad would
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
Oddly enough I find myself agreeing with him with some points and disagreeing with others. The Quest definitely has a deeper library of content. Apple's immersive videos are higher quality but there are like 4 immersive videos currently...The Quest's passthrough is brighter...
@nikitabier Nikita Bier on x
Bull thesis: Zuck will die before he loses a platform war to Apple. [video]
@gassee Jean-Louis Gassée on x
Apple fanboys... what a tired expression - and admission.
@bmgentile Brady on x
@pitdesi this is awesome
@pinboard @pinboard on x
Staying up late at a Holiday Inn Express to explain how you're totally not threatened by your wife's new boyfriend
@vijarkohli Vijar Kohli on x
This is cool. I love watching CEOs do product demos in real-time. Also, Zuck's competitive nature is amazing. Product comparisons are awesome. And we're back to the open source vs closed source battles again. Mixed reality is here to stay $META $AAPL [video]
@austen @austen on x
Not gonna lie Zuck coming after Apple saying they have crappy design and mediocre software is 🔥🔥🔥 [image]
@trungtphan Trung Phan on x
Zuck and the Meta Quest team doing a product teardown of the Apple Vision Pro [Video: guys destroying a printer from the movie Office Space]
@idevicehelpus @idevicehelpus on x
It's all going to come down to software/ecosystem - content and design, I agree with a lot of the things that Mark Zuckerberg mentions here, but not all. Keep in mind he's comparing Quest 3 Vs Apple's FIRST Vision Pro. Let's see what happens. “See you guys out there” [video]
@josethevrtech @josethevrtech on x
bad chess move on Zuck's end, I really don't think comparing both headsets is a great idea. Especially when at that high a level, Mark knows AVP is a different product category. I would hold that energy for Google/Samsung, as they will be REALLY competing directly with meta.
@neilcybart Neil Cybart on x
Mark Zuckerberg just posted this video to Instagram where he “reviews” Apple Vision Pro. Says Quest 3 is “better for the vast majority of things that people use mixed reality for.” He later calls out Apple “fanboys.” Says a lot that he felt the need to record this video. [video]
@wadhwa Vivek Wadhwa on x
Zuckerberg is showing his vision and brilliance .. and for a change, it isn't about denying the dark side of Facebook.
@heathwblack Heath W. Black on x
Couldn't agree more with Zuck here. Quest is an unbelievable product today as-is. And over time Quest + Meta's Raybans will converge into a socially acceptable, unobtrusive form factor that solves essentially all the same use-cases as Apple's hardware. Without looking like a d…
@earcos Eduardo Arcos on x
Reminds me of Blackberry execs dissing on the iPhone and attempting to sell their keyboard phones. Not a great PR move by Zuckerberg.
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After trying the Vision Pro, Mark Zuckerberg says Quest 3 ‘is the better product, period’

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