What is the Apple Vision Pro Headset?

Jan 19, 2024

Apple Vision Pro specs, features, pricing and release date

Last Edited: June 7, 2023

Rebekah Carter

After approximately seven years of development, the Apple Vision Pro headset is finally here.

For some time now, consumers have been on the edge of their seats waiting for an official Apple AR/VR announcement. After countless shelved projects and delays, attendees of the annual WWDC were finally rewarded for their patience.

The Apple Vision Pro headset, Apple's new "spatial computing" device, is set to be CEO Tim Cook's signature product in the Apple Portfolio. Already, it's earning praise from XR leaders. Of course, some investors are still concerned. The hefty price tag for the headset, combined with the youth of the MR industry, is prompting a lot of behind-the-scenes chatter.

Despite this, Apple's Vision Pro headset seems a revolutionary addition to the industry. Tim Cook described it as the beginning of a "new era for computing," built on decades of Apple innovation. So, what is the Apple Vision Pro headset, exactly, and what can it do?

The Apple Vision Pro headset is the XR device we’ve eagerly awaited for years. According to the company, it's not just a headset but a revolutionary spatial computer capable of seamlessly blending digital content with the physical world.

The Vision Pro provides an infinite canvas for apps and virtual experiences, which scales beyond any traditional display. It also features an innovative new operating system, visionOS. This new operating system will offer customers a 3D user interface influenced by hand gestures, voice, and eye movement.

Apple says the Vision Pro is worlds ahead of anything they’ve created before. Though it certainly offers some critical features of other MR headsets like the Meta Quest Pro, such as optical pass-through, it has some unique capabilities too. Apple has created a brand-new input system for this device and is combining it with state-of-the-art hardware to bring the metaverse to life truly.

So, is the Apple Vision Pro VR, AR, or a mixture of both?

As expected, the headset doesn't focus entirely on AR or VR. Though primarily positioned as an AR device, the Vision Pro can switch between full VR or AR using a dial. Apple is marketing the wearable system as a spatial computer, focusing strongly on the developing MR world.

As such, it's likely to compete primarily with solutions like the Microsoft HoloLens 2 and Meta Quest Pro. It also seems to target the same audiences, offering features for professional users and everyday immersion fans.

Like other leading MR devices, the Vision Pro is controller free. The visionOS operating system allows users to scroll through icons and apps using their eyes, hands, or voice. Plus, the system supports Bluetooth accessories, including a Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.

Even Apple's product page doesn't showcase a traditional spec sheet. However, we have plenty of information about the critical details of the system.

On the outside, the headset features five sensors, six microphones, and 12 cameras, allowing for hand, eye, and voice tracking. Inside, there's a ring of LED lights, which project invisible patterns onto the user's eyes to boost eye-tracking accuracy.

These lights also power Optic ID, Vision Pro's "Face ID" feature. Under the surface, the Vision Pro is powered by the revolutionary Apple silicon hardware. While there's an M2 chip for most of the processing power, Apple also introduced a new R1 chip for sensor input and latency management.

The R1 chip helps to minimize the input lag of the dual micro-OLED 4K displays, which drive the visual experience.

With such a high price tag, Apple's Vision Pro headset must break the mold to compete in the MR space. Fortunately, the powerful and unique features built into the system make the wearable an excellent solution for various use cases. Currently, the Vision Pro headset promises:

The Apple Vision Pro headset looks similar to virtually any other MR device or VR solution. However, it does feature some unique design aspects and capabilities. The lightweight product has a 3D pane of curved laminated glass above the visor. This enables the EyeSight feature mentioned above and the Vision Pro's camera array.

An aluminum alloy frame makes up the headset's body and is designed to fit the natural curve of the human face. There's also the option for users to customize the fit further with Light Seal accessories. Plus, an innovative headband in various sizes boosts user comfort.

Though there are no controllers for the Vision Pro, it does come with two buttons. An action button allows users to take photos and videos, while the "crown dial" controls your level of immersion. The Vision Pro can work consistently when plugged in from a battery life perspective. However, when used wirelessly, the battery will last about two hours before it needs to be charged.

One of the most impressive elements of the Apple Vision Pro is its ultra-high-resolution display system. Developed on top of Apple Silicon, the display leverages micro-OLED technology to showcase 23 million pixels on two displays, each the size of a postage stamp.

The display promises wide color recognition and a fantastic high dynamic range. Plus, users with vision issues can still access a tremendous experience, thanks to Apple's partnership with ZEISS. Apple's partner will offer unique inserts for eye-tracking accuracy and visual fidelity.

In addition to advanced audio and visual experiences, the visionOS operating system takes immersion to the next level. The system uses high-speed cameras and LED rings to ensure intuitive output, while the R1 chip instantly processes input from cameras, sensors, and microphones. The R1 can even display images within 12 milliseconds – 8 times faster than a blink.

The incredible hardware of the Apple Vision Pro headset is just part of what makes it so appealing. Apple created its own proprietary spatial computing OS to power this new mixed reality experience. The visionOS solution drives everything from the compelling EyeSight feature to the headset's ability to process light and movement dynamically.

This operating system also supports Apple's newly developed app market. According to the company, the marketplace will feature thousands of apps from iPad and iOS at launch. Alongside games from Apple Arcade, users will have access to a host of productivity tools like Microsoft Teams and Adobe Creative Cloud. Plus, Apple is already working with media vendors to create new experiences.

Disney has announced a new plan to bring immersive capabilities to Disney+ content for Apple Vision Pro users. Moreover, Apple's developer framework makes it easy for new developers to get involved. The frameworks match those used on other Apple operating systems, ensuring developers have all the tools to take advantage of the visionOS ecosystem.

Brace yourself. The Vision Pro isn't going to be cheap. The headset is set to be released in early 2024, for an introductory price tag of $3,499. That's three times the cost of the most expensive headset offered by Meta.

While Apple has given a basic release date window for the Vision Pro headset (Early 2024), exact dates have yet to be delivered. Additionally, it's worth noting Apple will be focusing on the US market first before branching into other countries later next year.

It's taken quite some time for Apple to reach this crucial point in its developmentary history. We’ve been exploring rumors and leaks related to an upcoming MR device for years. However, the WDCC announcement could mean Apple is finally going all-in on its metaverse journey.

It remains to be seen whether Apple's adventures into mixed reality will accelerate its focus on other products, like its highly anticipated Apple Glasses. However, if Apple's Vision Pro headset is as successful as the company believes it can be, this may be the beginning of a new era for the brand.