7 Affordable Alternatives to Apple Vision Pro Headset to look out for – Smartprix Bytes

Tech Giant Apple recently created a storm during its WWDC 2023 when the brand announced its first augmented reality headset named the Apple Vision Pro. It claims to begin an era of special computing and take innovation to the next level. The Reality Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset that comes with various high-end features that have the power to disrupt the market.

However, the headset by Apple is still far away as it will officially be available in early 2024 and moreover, it is priced exorbitantly at 3499 USD. Due to these two reasons, one might think about looking at some alternatives to the Reality Vision Pro in the meanwhile. This is where we step in as we list the 7 affordable alternatives to the Apple Vision Pro, that you can consider if you can’t wait till 2024.

1. Microsoft HoloLens 2

The Microsoft HoloLens 2 is one of the strongest competitors to the Apple Vision Pro Headset. Microsoft is a pioneer in this field and its HoloLens 2 is proof of its commitment to innovation and quality. It is packed with features that make it a very strong competitor in the market. Microsoft HoloLens 2 is priced at 3500 USD which means it is about 2.6 lakhs in India.

Features- One of the standout features is its comfortable and adjustable fit. It can be worn for extended periods and can be easily adjusted to fit different head sizes. The eye-tracking sensors allow the device to understand where the user is looking, enabling more intuitive and interactive experiences. It is useful in professional settings where precise control and interaction are crucial. The headset comes with an even more holographic experience compared to its predecessor. It has a wider FOV so you can view more without turning your head and this will make the experience even more engaging and realistic.

2. Magic Leap 2

The Magic Leap 2 headset was the device that defined Magic Leap as a brand. It comes in direct competition with Apple Vision Pro and is designed for developers and creators, offering a unique and immersive AR experience that sets it apart from other headsets on the market. It is priced at 3299 USD.

Features- Magic Leap 2 is one of the lightest headsets, weighing a mere 260 grams. It minimizes tension and pressure by maintaining its central mass near your face. It has 4 cameras dedicated to eye-tracking that consistently adjust the rendering of digital content to alleviate eye fatigue.

The headset comes with a computing pack connected through a wire that relocates the processor from your head to your waist and reduces weight along with dissipating heat. All this happens without compromising processing power. It is designed for the comfort of those who already wear specs and can be used in a wide range of environments. The Magic Leap 2 boasts high RAM and storage and is powered by a 7bn AMD quad-core Zen 2 chipset that can handle the most demanding 3D visuals and enterprise applications, regardless of their computational intensity.

3. Meta Quest Pro

The Meta Quest Pro is a highly advanced VR headset that also offers AR capabilities. It is a very popular choice for gaming and enterprise usage as it offers a balance of performance, versatility, and affordability. It is priced at 999 USD.

Features- The Meta Quest Pro has been made to meet VR needs without a powerful PC. It comes with a high-resolution display that gives clear images, intuitive controls for natural interaction, and a big library of apps and games that cater to a wide range of interests and needs. It is a flexible headset as it can be used with or without a PC so you can enjoy VR experiences at home or on the go. The headset is designed for comfort so you can work, create and collaborate longer in VR. The infinite display comes with 22 pixels per degree visuals, 75% greater contrast, and a 1.3x larger color gamut for more vibrant color.

The Meta Quest Pro allows you to open multiple resizable screens to organize tasks, work on new ideas, and stream podcasts, news feeds, playlists, or simple messages with friends. It comes with self-tracking controllers that provide TruTouch haptic feedback and precision pinch for fine control. The headset comes in a package with some goods like Meta Quest Touch Pro controllers, a charging dock with a rapid USB-C power adapter, 10 advanced VR/MR sensors, 256GB storage, and 12GB RAM and is powered by a Snapdragon XR2+ Qualcomm processor.

4. VIVE XR Elite

The VIVE XR Elite is one of the major competitors for Apple Vision Pro due to its high-performance features. It is an all-in-one XR headset that can transform into a pair of portable immersive glasses. The headset has been designed to give a powerful, convertible, and lightweight experience. It is priced at 1099 USD.

Features-The VIVE XR Elite comes with a convertible form factor. The headset can be detached from the battery cradle for better portability. It offers a vivid passthrough, blending physical and virtual worlds and expanding play with new possibilities.

The headset has a resolution of 3840×1920 with 110-degree FOV and a 90Hz refresh rate. The device offers extended reality with user-environment interplay with its 4 wide FOV tracking cameras and high-resolution RGB color camera. There is a depth sensor as well.

The design is made for comfortable wearing as it comes with step-less inter-pupillary distance adjustment for fine-tuning viewing experience and adjustable diopters on each lens to optimize focus and go glasses-free. It has powerful speakers that give immersive audio and comes with a detachable battery cradle that provides up to 2 hours of power. The battery cradle is swappable, replaceable, and adjustable for a better fit.

5. Meta Quest 3

Meta Quest 3 was introduced a week before Apple announced its headset. The Meta Quest 3 is an upgraded version of Meta Quest 2 and it comes with color cameras, is 40% thinner than Quest 2, and has new motion controllers. It will be available this fall and will sell for 499 USD.

Features- Meta Quest 3 will be 40% slimmer than its predecessor and include more fabrics making it a comfortable fit. It will offer Touch Plus controls and TruTouch haptics along with a USB-C port, volume control, IPD wheel, and a power button. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. There will be updated LCD displays with a resolution of 2064×2208 per eye and a refresh rate of 120Hz.

6. Valve Index

Valve Index is a tethered VR headset that has to be plugged into a powerful PC and needs tracking stations to be in the room to function well. It comes with clunky tech that offers a powerful VR experience and gives better graphics and performance than many headsets on the list. It has one of the most advanced motion controllers that can track individual finger movements just like Apple Vision Pro. It is priced at 1424 USD.

Features-Valve Index has a dual LCD canted display with 2 lenses that have a resolution of 1440×1600 per eye. It has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 144Hz and the FOV can be adjusted up to 130 degrees. There is scope for eye adjustments between 58 to 70mm and the headset weighs 809 grams which makes it feel bulky. It uses Valve’s Lighthouse 2.0 tracking system while having full compatibility with all previous HTC Vive base stations using SteamVR.

7. Sony PlayStation VR 2

The Sony PlayStation VR was good but its successor, the PlayStation VR 2 is even better. The headset is bright and sharp and comes with new motion controllers. It comes with eye tracking and is very compatible with PlayStation 5. It doesn’t work with original PS VR games and is priced at 599 USD at Amazon.

Features- The Sony PSVR 2 comes with an OLED display and a FOV of 110 degrees. It has a six-axis motion sensing system, and an IR proximity sensor with 4 embedded cameras for the headset, and a controller tracking IR camera for eye tracking per eye. There is vibration feedback as well.

So, these are the 7 Powerful headsets that can give good competition to the upcoming Apple Vision Pro. You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the most recent news, reviews, and tech guides.