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In a move that’s garnered strong reactions, Mark Zuckerberg took to Instagram to directly challenge the recently-released Apple Vision Pro headset. In a bold three-minute video, the Meta CEO not only declared the $500 Meta Quest 3 the superior product, but also priced out the exorbitant $3500 Apple Vision Pro. Now, in an interview with the Morning Brew Daily podcast, Zuckerberg has doubled down on his stance, and offered some pointed commentary about “Apple fanboys”.
Is Apple Vision Pro Worth the Hype – and the Price?
Zuckerberg stated that his decision to create the comparison video was spurred by media coverage he felt inaccurately positioned the Apple Vision Pro as inherently better than the Quest 3. He seemed particularly bothered by the focus on price disparity, wanting to emphasize that cost doesn’t always directly correlate to quality.
“I just wanted to kind of put my flag down and say, hey, no, you know, just because this thing costs seven times more, doesn’t mean it’s better,” the Meta CEO stated.
Zuckerberg vs. Ballmer
The video instantly drew online comparisons to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer famously mocking the original iPhone launch. Some wonder if Zuckerberg is destined for a similar “eat your words” moment. However, Zuckerberg remains unconcerned, suggesting Apple isn’t an unstoppable force:
“First of all, I’m not laughing at them. I take Apple seriously…But I’m just laying out the facts…we’re a company that moves pretty quickly, so I actually think we’ll probably move faster.”
Are “Apple Fanboys” Out of Touch?
Zuckerberg also used the interview to wade into the often-heated rivalry between Apple loyalists and the rest of the tech world. He suggested that fierce brand loyalty to Apple (particularly when new products launch) creates a blind spot.
“If you look at the history of computing, every major generation has an open model… and then they have a closed model where it’s usually just Apple…In mobile, Apple won…people basically prefer iPhone.” Zuckerberg argues that focusing solely on one company leaves consumers potentially missing out on more innovative, affordable solutions.
Competition Drives Innovation
While Zuckerberg’s jabs at Apple are somewhat expected given their intense rivalry, it’s interesting to note the focus on open ecosystem models (like Meta’s) versus closed ecosystem models (like Apple’s). Both have merits, but Zuckerberg’s core message rings true; blind brand loyalty is rarely a wise tech strategy. As both companies innovate in the VR/AR space, consumers win. Whether or not you like Zuckerberg’s tactics, he raises valid questions about whether Apple Vision Pro justifies its astronomical price point. It remains to be seen how this feud impacts the increasingly competitive virtual and augmented reality market.
