Visual Acuity Comparison: Meta Quest 3/3S vs. Apple Vision Pro

Authors: Jakobi Haskell, Melvin He

Date: November 11, 2024

Introduction

This study evaluates the visual acuity of the Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, and Apple Vision Pro (AVP) headsets in both immersive and passthrough modes. We conducted tests using a logMAR eye chart in a WebXR environment and assessed the readability of physical text through each device's passthrough functionality.

Methodology

1. LogMAR Eye Chart Test

   • Developed a WebXR scene displaying a standard logMAR eye chart positioned 6.1 meters (20 feet) from the viewer, with dimensions of 1.6 x 2 meters.

   • Participants: Jakobi and Melvin.

   • Procedure: Each participant viewed the chart through each headset and recorded the smallest line of text they could accurately read.

2. Passthrough Reading Test

   • Material: "Read Write Own" book.

   • Environment: Sunlab lighting conditions.

   • Procedure: Participants held the book at arm's length and attempted to read a page through each headset's passthrough mode, noting clarity and readability.

Results

1. LogMAR Eye Chart Test

• Meta Quest 3

  • Notable aliasing and flickering, especially with smaller text.

  • Jakobi: Difficulty began at the 5m line; mistook "H" for "N" but read the rest correctly. Could not read beyond "ZH" on the 4m line.

  • Melvin: Correctly read up to the 4m line; could not read past "ZH" on the 4m line.

• Meta Quest 3S

  • Increased aliasing compared to Quest 3, with pronounced light glow effects.

  • Jakobi and Melvin: Similar performance to Quest 3; could not read beyond "ZH" on the 4m line.

• Apple Vision Pro (AVP)

  • Less aliasing than Quest devices but still present with smaller text.

  • Jakobi: Difficulty began at the 2.5m line; could not discern the first letter.

  • Melvin: Correctly read up to the last letter of the 2.5m line; mistook "O" for "C". Could not read the 2m line.

2. Passthrough Reading Test

• Meta Quest 3/3S

  • Both devices exhibited noise and a slight rainbow effect on text.

  • Participants could identify individual words but with some difficulty.

• Apple Vision Pro (AVP)

  • No rainbow effect; however, the view was blurrier, making it challenging to read individual words.

  • Improved lighting conditions slightly enhanced readability.

Discussion

The AVP demonstrated superior resolution in immersive mode, aligning with Hugo Barra's observations. However, in passthrough mode, Apple's intentional blurring to mitigate the screen door effect resulted in lower visual acuity for reading small text. Conversely, the Meta Quest devices, despite lower resolution and noticeable aliasing, provided clearer text readability in passthrough mode due to the absence of such blurring.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that while the AVP offers a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience, it compromises on text readability in passthrough mode. The Meta Quest 3 and 3S, though exhibiting aliasing, allow for better readability of small text in passthrough mode. These insights are crucial for users prioritizing text clarity in augmented reality applications.

References

• Barra, H. (2024).

Appendix