The augmented reality (AR) industry is progressing rapidly, with tech giants like Apple and Meta leading the way. The competition between Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Orion AR glasses is one of the most talked-about topics in the tech world today.
These two cutting-edge devices are shaping the future of how we interact with both digital content and the physical world. Although they both serve the same broad purpose, they differ significantly in terms of design, performance, user experience, and potential applications.
Zuck just revealed Meta’s Orion AR glasses at #MetaConnect2024
(not yet available)Form factor infinitely superior to Apple Vision Pro pic.twitter.com/CmAvZfiIsp
— Dinesh Govender (@dineshgovender) September 25, 2024
AR technology aims to overlay digital elements onto the real world, providing enhanced interaction and immersive experiences. Applications of AR glasses range from gaming and education to healthcare and professional training, helping users develop new skills and enrich their everyday activities. With such a vast scope, it’s no surprise that Apple and Meta have invested heavily in making their AR glasses as user-friendly and advanced as possible.
Let’s take a closer look at how users are receiving and comparing Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Orion, based on key factors like design, display, control, and functionality.
Design and Comfort
Meta’s Orion
Meta’s Orion AR glasses are praised for their sleek and lightweight design, weighing in at under 100 grams. They resemble ordinary eyewear, making them comfortable to wear for long periods. Users have particularly appreciated the balance between functionality and aesthetics, with many commenting on how the glasses feel like a natural extension of their day-to-day accessories. The frame, made of lightweight magnesium, and the lenses, crafted from silicon carbide, provide durability without sacrificing comfort.
Apple have been working on glasses in top secret for many years, totally separately from Apple Vision Pro headset.
Headsets & glasses will co-exist, like phones & laptops do today.
Meta recently announced ‘Orion’ AR glasses, which cost $10,000 to make. pic.twitter.com/4Nho4Kp6ZC
— ▶︎ PlayGamesMovies (@PlayGamesMovies) September 30, 2024
This design allows users to interact with digital elements while maintaining full awareness of their physical surroundings. However, some users have noted that while the glasses are comfortable, the level of immersion is limited when compared to more fully immersive headsets, such as Apple’s Vision Pro. Orion’s design focuses on blending digital content into the real world seamlessly, without overwhelming the user.
Apple’s Vision Pro
In contrast, Apple’s Vision Pro has a bulkier design that resembles a headset more than traditional glasses. The use of “passthrough” technology, which broadcasts a live video feed of the user’s surroundings on the internal screens, is one of the defining features. However, this also makes the device feel clumsier during prolonged use, with some users noting that it becomes uncomfortable after extended periods.
Despite the heftier design, Apple’s Vision Pro delivers a more immersive experience, as users are able to engage deeply with virtual environments. This trade-off between immersion and comfort is a key point in the comparison between the two devices. Vision Pro is ideal for users seeking a fully immersive digital experience, while Orion is more suited for those who want a lighter, more practical design.
Display Technology
Meta’s Orion
When it comes to display, Meta’s Orion uses Micro LED projectors to create holograms directly within the user’s line of sight. The glasses offer a 70-degree field of view (FOV), which, while not the widest on the market, is sufficient for most everyday tasks and interactions. Users have generally appreciated the visual quality, though some have noted that the resolution, currently at 12 pixels per degree, could be higher. Compared to competitors like Apple, the visual sharpness leaves room for improvement.
Apple’s Vision Pro
Apple’s Vision Pro outshines Meta’s Orion in terms of display quality, offering an impressive resolution of around 25 pixels per degree. This results in sharper visuals and a more immersive experience. Users have reported that the high resolution greatly enhances media consumption, gaming, and professional applications.
(concept) a simple Vision Pro widget called Orb that lights up your environment in a realistic way (light appears to bounce off nearby surfaces). You can reach out and grab Orb and place it anywhere you like. You can also change its colour to suit your mood pic.twitter.com/XCwgGOtWAX
— Andrew Fox (@afoxdesign) February 22, 2024
The wider scope of Vision Pro’s display technology allows for a richer and more detailed interaction with digital content, though this comes at the cost of a bulkier, less portable device.
Interaction and Control
Meta’s Orion
A key feature that has excited users about Meta’s Orion glasses is the introduction of the neural wristband. This device allows users to control the glasses through simple hand gestures, without the need for external cameras. The gesture-based controls are intuitive and highly responsive, allowing users to select and navigate content with ease. Orion also incorporates eye-tracking technology for seamless navigation, making the user experience feel fluid and natural.
Apple’s Vision Pro
Apple’s Vision Pro relies on a combination of hand gestures, voice commands, and eye tracking for control. While this system is effective, it has been described by some users as less intuitive than Meta’s neural wristband.
Finally got a Vision Pro, and now I can test all the prototypes that I made for VisionOS last year 🥳
My overall impression of Vision Pro: a piece of art. The user experience is very smooth and solid. Developing for VisionOS is a pure joy. No glitches and bugs so far. The… pic.twitter.com/NPQ8Yu7DmT
— Oleg Frolov (@Volorf) July 16, 2024
The reliance on the headset’s visual feedback can feel less natural, especially for tasks that require precision. Despite this, the integration of multiple input methods in Vision Pro provides flexibility for users, accommodating a variety of preferences.
Functionality and Applications
Meta’s Orion
Meta’s Orion AR glasses are designed for practicality, focusing on everyday tasks like making video calls, managing schedules, and providing contextual information based on the user’s surroundings. The glasses integrate smoothly into daily life, offering quick access to digital content without overwhelming the user. However, users have expressed concerns over the limited battery life, which currently lasts only two hours. This can be a drawback for those hoping to use the glasses for extended periods of time.
Apple’s Vision Pro
Apple’s Vision Pro offers a broader range of applications, from productivity to entertainment. The device supports advanced media experiences and allows for full immersion in virtual environments. This makes it an ideal choice for professionals who require powerful performance, as well as for gamers and media enthusiasts seeking a highly immersive experience. However, Vision Pro’s bulkier design may not fit as seamlessly into everyday life as the Orion glasses do, particularly for users looking for a more casual, lightweight option.
In comparing Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Orion AR glasses, it’s clear that both devices have their unique strengths. Meta’s Orion glasses offer a sleek, lightweight design with intuitive control methods, making them an appealing choice for users who prioritise comfort and practicality.
STOP comparing Orion to Apple Vision Pro.
Orion costs $10k to make and will not be available for purchase for at least 2-5 years. And who knows what the specs and price will be by then.
AVP is not a perfect device, but passthrough MR is the necessary tradeoff Apple made to ship… pic.twitter.com/nHAQBk1Hdk
— Cosmo Scharf ᯅ (@cosmoscharf) September 30, 2024
On the other hand, Apple’s Vision Pro delivers a more immersive experience with higher display resolution and a broader range of applications, though it comes with a bulkier design.
