For developers seeking an all-in-one mixed reality solution with a robust application ecosystem, the HoloLens 2 is the superior choice. However, the Vision Pro, with its advanced personal computer-like functionalities and high-resolution display, is ideal for those desiring a more immersive multimedia experience.

HoloLens 2 and Vision Pro compared

Key Differences Between HoloLens 2 and Vision Pro

  • Focus: HoloLens 2 is designed for enterprise applications while Vision Pro is more multimedia-oriented, transforming personal spaces into theatres.
  • Operating Systems: HoloLens utilizes Windows while Vision Pro has its own spatial operating system, VisionOS.
  • Display: HoloLens 2 features 1440×936 pixels per eye, whereas Vision Pro offers a better than 4K resolution with its 23 million pixel micro-OLED display.
  • Interaction: Both headsets offer gesture controls; HoloLens 2 integrates hand-tracking and eye-tracking while Vision Pro allows for interaction using hands, voice and eyes.
  • Physical Build: HoloLens 2 houses a visor with transparent lenses weighing 566 grams, Vision Pro, lighter, resembles ski goggles with a light-seal fit.
  • Cameras and Sensors: HoloLens 2 possesses a 1-MP time-of-flight sensor and 8MP camera. Vision Pro includes 12 cameras and 6 microphones.
Comparison HoloLens 2 Apple’s AR/VR Headset
Price $3,500 $3,499
Target Market Enterprise, Productivity, Education Personal Use, Entertainment, Productivity
Weight 566 grams Lighter than competition
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Dual-chip Processor
Operating System Windows based VisionOS
Resolution 2048×1080 4K Resolution
Battery Life 3-hour under normal use 2-hour with external battery pack
Interaction Gesture controls, spatial sound with 5-mic array, eye & hand tracking Hands, voice, eyes. Precise Eye Tracking
Camera 8MP resolution camera with 1080 30fps video capturing 12 cameras for 3D photos and videos
Software Ecosystem Comprehensive Microsoft enterprise solution, custom apps creation supported by AzureCloud storage Runs iPadOS interface, visionOS designed for spatial computing, can-platform compatibility
Ergonomics Form-fitting elite headstraps, adjustable ratchet tightening, IPD lenses Light-Seal fits user’s face, resembles ski goggles
Biometric Security Eye tracking facilitated by Infrared cameras Optic ID security system recognizes the user’s iris

What Is HoloLens 2 and Who’s It For?

Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 is a robust AR headset developed primarily for enterprise purposes, focusing less on gaming and more on productivity and education. This high-caliber device, priced at $3,500, is designed to facilitate advanced hand-tracking and eye-tracking with its 1-MP Time-of-Flight depth sensor and infrared cameras, providing an unsurpassable digital experience for professional users. It operates with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 processor and boasts an impressive 4GB DDR4 RAM.

Colorful depiction of a professional employing the HoloLens 2 within a high-tech office space

Pros of HoloLens 2

  • Targeted at enterprise use
  • Superior hand-tracking and eye-tracking capabilities
  • Offers impressive spatial sound and a reliable microphone system
  • Operates with a powerful processor and RAM

Cons of HoloLens 2

  • High price-point
  • Not designed for gaming and entertainment
  • Battery life could be more extended
  • Not as lightweight as some competitors

What Is visionOS and Who’s It For?

visionOS, Apple’s extraordinary spatial operating system, weaves the digital and physical landscapes seamlessly and is set to launch to consumers in 2024. With an atomized workspace, this ground-breaking operating system can morph any space into a personal theater. It’s ideal for collaborative and connectivity endeavors, offering notably complex 3D experiences with its dual-chip processor and mesmerizing 23 million pixel micro-OLED display. It requires only hands, voice, or eyes for navigation, a stepping stone toward a hands-free future.

Colorful illustration of an innovative individual engaging with the spatial computing system in a tech advanced environment

Pros of visionOS

  • Immersive experience with AR/VR
  • No need for extraneous controllers
  • Allows cross-platform compatibility
  • High-resolution, micro-OLED display

Cons of visionOS

  • Reduced functionality due to external battery pack
  • High price of $3,499
  • Less ideal for gaming applications
  • Requires adjustment dealing with external battery cord

HoloLens 2 vs Vision Pro: Pricing

The pricing of Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 and Apple’s Vision Pro both hover around the premium mark of $3,500, primarily targeting enterprise users rather than general consumers.

HoloLens 2

The trailblazing HoloLens 2 from Microsoft commands a substantial price tag of $3,500. The pricing strategy predominantly serves the enterprise market, making it a worthy investment for businesses rather than individual tech enthusiasts or gamers. It’s a comprehensive mixed reality solution equipped with significant upgrades and an efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 processor, crafted to facilitate productivity and education.

Vision Pro

Apple’s Vision Pro is a futuristic spatial computer that fuses digital and physical worlds. Scheduled to launch in 2024, it’s priced at $3,499, on par with the HoloLens 2’s pricing. With immersive AR/VR capabilities, 23 million pixel micro-OLED display offering 4K resolution, Precise Eye Tracking, and a host of other state-of-art features, this device also lines up squarely for enterprise users. However, Vision Pro also offers a ‘cheaper’ version, with less advanced features and no M-series chip, priced between $1,500 and $2,500.

Which Should You Set Your Sights On: HoloLens 2 or Vision Pro?

Let’s cut to the chase. It’s time for the final verdict, the ultimate climax — HoloLens 2 vs. Vision Pro. Let’s delineate which behemoth is right for you.

ENTERPRISE MARKET

Within the enterprise, the HoloLens 2 trumps. Microsoft’s enterprise-specific focus, a 1-MP Time-of-Flight depth sensor, built-in spatial sound, extensive developer resources, and AzureCloud storage push it ahead of the curve for intensive, industrial use cases.
A server room filled with network cables, ethernet switches, and a tall server rack. A man in a blue shirt and glasses is adjusting the wires.

IMMERSIVE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE

Looking for an immersive cinematic experience? The Vision Pro takes the gold. Its capability to transform any space into a personal theater, couple with a breathtaking 23 million pixel micro-OLED display, offers an unparalleled visual feast. Don’t forget the atomized workspace and real-world audio sims.

A relaxed woman midway through a movie, Vision Pro perched on her head, leaning back comfortably on a leather recliner in a dimly lit room.

MULTIMEDIA CREATIVES

The call of the Vision’s bells and whistles can’t be resisted by those immersed in creative pursuits. The 3D camera, personal theater transformation, virtual avatars, and top-notch controls are just a few of the tempting prospects. Quite a feast for the multimedia creatives.

A young multimedia artist with dark hair, admiring a 3D rendering on her Vision Pro, in a vibrant and colorful studio workspace.

EDUCATORS AND LEARNERS

The HoloLens 2 reigns supreme in the land of learning. The lens’s clear focus on productivity and education, enhanced comfort, and detailed eye tracking make it a dream come true for educators and learners, paving the way for remote, yet interactive classes.

A bespectacled man wearing HoloLens 2, pointing at a 3D molecular structure projected in his home office.

Stripping the theatrics, here’s the deal: HoloLens 2 shines for hardcore enterprise users and the education sector with its productivity-centric facet; Vision Pro takes the center stage for immersive experiences and content creators with its intense display and interaction capabilities.

Hannah Stewart

Content writer @ Aircada, tech enthusiast, metaverse explorer, and coffee addict. Weaving stories in digital realms.

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