Don’t confuse AR with virtual reality (VR). When comparing augmented reality vs. virtual reality, VR creates a completely simulated world while AR adds digital elements to the existing world.
With augmented reality (AR), computer-generated images are superimposed over a user's real-world view. Virtual reality (VR), on the other hand, is a completely simulated environment.
Both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Augmented reality has the advantage of being more immersive than virtual reality. Because users can see their real-world surroundings, they feel more connected to the experience. Additionally, they can play augmented reality games anywhere, since all they need is a smartphone or tablet.
The downside to AR is that it's not as realistic as VR. The graphics are usually not as detailed, and the gameplay can be choppy if there's too much going on in the real world.
With VR, the inverse is true. Experiences are more detailed, even though they feel other-worldly. They also tend to work seamlessly because they exist in their own ecosystem, completely detached from the real world.