Compare Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Meta Quest 3S
In this technical comparison between the Apple Vision Pro M5 and the Meta Quest 3S, we analyze the key features to help you choose.
The display is a highlight, featuring a resolution of 23 million pixels total (approx. 3660×3200 per eye) for the Vision Pro M5 versus 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye for the Quest 3S.
Choosing between these two VR Headsets models often comes down to your budget, with prices around 3499 USD and 300 USD.
| Specifications |
Apple Vision Pro M5 |
Meta Quest 3S |
|---|---|---|
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| Launch | ||
| Version | October, 2025 | October, 2024 |
| Display | ||
| Type | Micro-OLED (3D display system) | Single Fast-Switch LCD |
| Resolution | 23 million pixels total (approx. 3660×3200 per eye) | 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz, 96Hz, 100Hz, and 120Hz | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Field of view | ~100° Horizontal | 96° Horizontal / 90° Vertical |
| Brightness | ~5,000 nits (internal) / ~100 nits (perceived) | - |
| HDR | Yes (Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG) | Not supported |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Custom Three-element Catadioptric (Pancake-style) | Fresnel |
| IPD adjustment | Automatic/Electronic (51mm–75mm) | 3-position manual toggle (58mm, 63mm, 68mm) |
| Eye relief | Adjustable via Light Seal sizes & magnetic ZEISS inserts | - |
| Tracking & Input | ||
| Tracking type | 6DoF Inside-out (12 cameras, 5 sensors) | 6DoF Inside-out tracking via 4 IR cameras |
| Controller tracking | No physical controllers (Supports PS/Xbox gamepads) | Meta Quest Touch Plus (ringless design) |
| Hand tracking | Yes (High-precision gesture system) | Yes |
| Eye tracking | Yes (High-performance LED/IR camera system) | No |
| Facial tracking | Yes (Used for "Persona" avatars and EyeSight) | No |
| Performance | ||
| Processor / Chipset | Apple M5 chip + Apple R1 chip (12ms latency) | Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 16 GB Unified Memory | 8GB |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB | 128GB or 256GB |
| Mixed Reality Features | ||
| Passthrough | Real-time 4K Stereoscopic Color Passthrough | 4MP Full-color (18 PPD) |
| Depth sensing | LiDAR Scanner + TrueDepth camera system | No (uses dual IR floodlights for spatial awareness instead of a dedicated depth projector) |
| Audio | ||
| Built-in audio | Dual-driver Spatial Audio pods | Integrated stereo speakers with 3D spatial audio |
| 3.5mm jack | No (Supports AirPods Pro with H2 ultra-low latency) | No (requires USB-C adapter or Bluetooth) |
| Mic | Six-microphone array with directional beamforming | Integrated dual microphones |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired | Proprietary Battery Connector (USB-C on the battery) | USB-C |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | 5.2 |
| PCVR support | Official Mac Virtual Display (Supports Ultra-wide 4K/5K) | Supported via Quest Link, Air Link, and Steam Link |
| Compatibility | ||
| Platforms | App Store (visionOS), iPad/iPhone App Support | Meta Horizon OS |
| Supported OS | visionOS 2.0 or later | - |
| Comfort | ||
| Weight | 750 – 800 g (with Light Seal and Head Band) | 514g |
| Strap type | Solo Knit Band and Dual Knit Band (Included) | Adjustable soft Y-strap (cloth) |
| Face interface | Magnetic "Light Seal" (Various sizes) | Standard foam interface |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 2.5 hours general use / 3 hours video | ~2.5 hours (average) |
| Charging method | USB-C (via external battery pack) | USB-C (18W to 20W supported) |
| External battery support | Required (Headset is tethered to external pack) | Supported via Elite Strap with Battery or third-party power banks |
| Misc | ||
| Inside the box | Headset, Battery, Solo/Dual Bands, Light Seal, Cover | Headset, 2x Touch Plus Controllers, 2x AA Batteries, Power Adapter, Charging Cable, Glasses Spacer |
| Price | 3499 USD | 300 USD |
| Full Details | Vision Pro M5 - Full Specifications | Quest 3S - Full Specifications |