Meet Apple's AR/VR Vision Pro headset: Price, features, release date, and everything else to know
Meet Apple's AR/VR Vision Pro headset: Price, features, release date, and everything else to know
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Meet Apple’s AR/VR Vision Pro headset: Price, features, release date, and everything else to know
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
An Apple VR/AR headset has been rumored for over six years, and it is finally here. At WWDC 2023, the tech giant announced the Vision Pro, a headset that is meant to take mixed reality experiences to the next level, despite it not being as much of a mainstream product as you’d expect.
Also: Every hardware product Apple announced at WWDC today
During the keynote, Apple announced several features that differentiate the Vision Pro headset from the rest of the market including eye and hand tracking, a pocket battery pack, and a new VisionOS operating system powering the unit.
Apple went as far as claiming that the Vision Pro is the “most advanced personal electronic device ever.”
Also: Apple just announced a ton of software features at WWDC. Here’s everything new
Apple will sell the headset for $3,499, which begs the question: Is it worth it? Here is everything you need to know about the company’s newest product.
Apple Vision Pro with the tethered battery pack
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
How does it look and feel?
The design of the Vision Pro is different from a lot of existing AR/VR headsets in that it has an external battery pack that resembles the size of an iPhone and connects to the headset via a cable.
Therefore, a user would have to place the battery in their pocket and deal with a dangling cable when using the Vision Pro.
Also: All the Mac news from WWDC 2023: Mac Pro, Mac Studio, and M2 Ultra
By having a tethered battery system, Apple was able to reduce the weight of the Vision Pro headset to make it noticeably lighter than the competition. This, according to Apple, should solve one of the biggest issues with VR headsets: Discomfort after extended use.
The look of the Vision Pro itself resembles ski goggles and its curved front has an external screen that allows the wearer’s eyes to be seen by others through a feature called Eyesight.
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
The front of the headset is made from three-dimensional formed glass while the headband was made from one piece that provides cushioning, breathability and stretch.
The device features two 4K OLED displays, Apple’s M2 chip, and the popular voice assistant, Siri. It also features a brand new chip, R1, which runs in parallel with M2 to ensure that there is no lag.
To switch between AR and VR, the headset will have a crown similar to the one found on the Apple Watch. There is also a knob that will allow users to easily customize the fit and a button to take photos.
Also: Best VR headsets of 2023: For gaming and the metaverse
Users will be able to control the headset with eye and hand tracking, a feature that’s slowly being adopted by other headsets on the market, as well as voice commands. For example, users will be able to pinch to select and flick to scroll.
Vision Pro runs on a new Apple operating system, VisionOS, which resembles the iPadOS interface, bringing the continuity of Apple’s apps and services ecosystem to the headset.
What can you do with the headset?
The headset is capable of running popular Apple applications including Books, Camera, Contacts, Facetime, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Safari, and more in mixed reality — a blend of both AR and VR.
According to Apple, the apps will feel like they are in your natural space and environment. As a result, moving apps is a similar experience to moving actual items around you.
Also: What could Apple’s VR headset possibly do to justify its $3,000 price tag?
Immersive video is one of the biggest selling points of the device, allowing users to feel as if they were physically present in the space a video is taking place. For example, with the headset, you can stream a movie and watch it as if it was playing on a giant screen in another environment such as the beach with immersive spatial audio.
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
The Vision Pro headset will also be compatible with existing third-party content to ease the continuity between your favorite applications and the headset. For example, Disney Plus will be available on the headset from day one.
With its WWDC pitch, Apple hopes that more developers will begin to create apps and services for VisionOS, so that third-party support expands further, much like how it’s already done on the App Store.
Still, the Vision Pro will be able to run hundreds of thousands of iPad apps from the App Store as well as top-tier existing gaming titles from third-party developers. Vision Pro will have its own unique app store for applications designed specifically for the headset as well.
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If you are interested in potentially using the headset for work purposes, you are in luck. The headset will be able to double as an external monitor for a connected Mac by mirroring what’s on your Mac onto the AR interface.
In addition, Facetime for Vision Pro will allow for videoconferencing in a collaborative environment which you can use to work with your coworkers on projects at the same time.
The tiles of people on the call will be “life-sized” and each person’s audio will be coming from the individual’s tile position, allowing for more natural conversation.
Also: You can now FaceTime from your Apple TV
People on the call will see your “digital persona”.
A digital persona
Screenshot by Christina Darby/ZDNET
To create your persona, the headset scans your face, and then creates a realistic model of you that has depth and moves with you to represent you on Facetime calls.
Vision Pro scanning a user
Screenshot by Christina Darby/ZDNET
How much does it cost?
The Vision Pro has a hefty price tag of $3,499, setting its own premium category from the likes of Meta, HTC, and other manufacturers who have played in the sub-$1,000 range.
Also: Apple reveals video voicemails for FaceTime users
We can assume that included in the price is the headset itself, the battery pack and the USB-C charging cable.
When is it available?
Despite being unveiled at WWDC, the Vision Pro headset won’t be shipping until early next year. You can’t preorder the wearable at Apple.com yet either.
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When it is available, Apple says you will be able to visit the Apple Store to get a demo and even personalize your fit.
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