Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro: Is Meta’s Orion better than the Apple Vision Pro?

Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro, The future of smart glasses is heating up, brought to you by two major players developing augmented reality (AR) technology. The Apple Vision Pro with immersive functionalities is scheduled to launch around early 2024.

Whereas Meta Orion boasts pioneering AR experiences and AI integration in 2027 target commercial availability. So today, we’re diving into the biggest differences between these two devices “Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro”, in terms of design, hardware tracking, functionality, and price in this Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Orion comparison to show you what each AR device is capable of.

Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro Designs

Apple Vision Pro:

The Apple Vision Pro is a glass-faced device with an aluminum housing that leads up to its ‘Light Seal,’ a part of the wearable that conforms to the user’s head, protecting it from external light. The strap is elastic, configurable, and adjustable through a precise wheel.

Meta Orion:

The Meta Orion glasses have a magnesium frame and believe it or not, they feel very durable yet comfortable. Likewise, the frame itself has been carefully designed to evenly load weight across the parts of your body best capable of carrying it as well as manage thermal conditions for all-day-long comfort.

Verdict: in the comparison of Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro, Apple Vision Pro emphasizes premium materials and a more adjustable fit, while Meta Orion is optimized for long-term wearability and weight distribution. Those looking for a sleek, lightweight frame might lean towards Meta Orion, while Apple Vision Pro users may prefer the adjustable design.

Display: 4K Resolution vs Wide Field of View

Apple Vision Pro:

It has a pair of 23-million-pixel micro-OLED displays for each eye, surpassing 4K resolution. And that results in sharp, nearly photorealistic graphics that put Apple Vision Pro at the top of the display quality list.

Meta Orion:

Meta Orion is based on micro LED projectors with optical-grade silicon carbide lenses with 70-degree field of view. Its resolution isn’t as high as Apple’s, but a larger field of view presents a more immersive AR world and in my brief time using it made me feel more naturally part of the virtual landscape.

Verdict: in the comparison of Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro, Apple Vision Pro wins in terms of resolution with its 4K+ display per eye, but Meta Orion offers a more immersive experience through its wider field of view, ideal for users who prioritize spatial awareness over pixel density.

Tracking and Control: Precision vs Simplicity

Apple Vision Pro:

The Apple Vision Pro is equipped with LEDs and infrared cameras, This allows users to seamlessly interact with the system, without any physical controllers besides their hands. The R1 chip immediately processes the AR elements before they come on screen with no latency, and it appears very smooth as there is hardly any hitch in the final rendering of a scene.

Meta Orion:

Meta Orion has miniature cameras and sensors to monitor your eye and hand movements. Then there is its wristband for hand motion detection, which seems like such a great idea in principle (a secondary form of input!) The virtual mouse becomes the eye movement, and actions like clicking can be performed using hand movements (eg, pinching fingers).

Verdict: the comparison of Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro, Both devices offer excellent tracking systems, but Apple Vision Pro’s infrared-based tracking combined with its dual-chip system offers a more precise experience. Meta Orion, with its wristband for hand tracking, provides a more tactile method of interaction that may appeal to users looking for varied input options.

AI Integration: Multitasking vs Immersive Interaction

Meta Orion:

Apple Vision Pro:

While not equipped with a specific AI assistant, the Apple Vision Pro focuses more on creating a personal cinema experience, capturing 3D photos and videos, and supporting a broad range of applications from entertainment to professional use. Apple’s VisionOS platform is highly optimized for app integration and multitasking.

Verdict: Meta Orion’s AI assistant provides more hands-free control and assistance in daily tasks, while Apple Vision Pro shines in immersive entertainment and work applications. Your choice depends on whether AI-driven productivity or immersive content creation is your priority.

Hardware and Connectivity: Puck vs Dual-Chip Power

Meta Orion:

The Meta Orion system includes: The wristband used for hand detection and a pocket-size compute puck, that drives the AR graphics with SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). The glasses are truly wireless, and the puck lets the user roam up to 12 feet away from them — allowing for a unique half-wired/half-wireless experience.

Apple Vision Pro:

Apple Vision Pro boasts a dual-chip architecture, combining the M2 chip and the R1 chip for optimized performance. The R1 chip processes data from the cameras, sensors, and microphones in just 12 milliseconds, ensuring low-latency performance. This advanced processing power gives it an edge in delivering real-time AR experiences.

Verdict: Apple Vision Pro’s dual-chip setup provides a superior processing experience without external peripherals, while Meta Orion’s puck offers a unique, lightweight solution that powers the device without adding bulk to the glasses themselves.

Wireless Features and Battery Life

Apple Vision Pro:

An easily rechargeable external battery powers the device for up to 2 hours, but it can be plugged into power during use to extend this. It is good that this decision was made because the battery add weight and limits wireless freedom over long-term sessions.

Meta Orion:

In the case of Meta Orion glasses, they operate without needing to be tethered to a computer because the compute puck is located in the user’s back pocket. Apple Vision Pro is corded for all-day usage, whereas Meta Orion users will be able to go wire-free within a range of up to 12 feet from the puck.

Verdict: In the comparison of Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro, Meta Orion’s fully wireless setup provides greater freedom of movement, whereas Apple Vision Pro’s external battery can be limiting for long-term, wireless use.

Price and Availability

Apple Vision Pro:

The Apple Vision Pro will likely arrive in early 2024, but it will cost around $3,499. In the United States for now, it will eventually be rolled out to other markets.

Meta Orion:

Featuring Meta Orion: Expected to hit the shelves in 2027, with the companies pricing it at competitive levels with other top-end AR glasses. That pricing strategy can be seen in Meta, the previous Facebook brand that cut prices to drive mass adoption of its products. You could see it being a cheaper device than Apple Vision Pro.

Verdict: In the comparison of Meta Orion vs Apple Vision Pro, Apple Vision Pro will be available much earlier, though at a premium price. Meta Orion’s 2027 release gives it time to refine its technology, possibly offering a more affordable option.