- Apple Vision Pro’s innovative design and features come at a high price of $3,499.
- It offers a unique mixed reality experience with no controllers and runs on visionOS.
- The headset was released on February 2, 2024.
The long-awaited Apple Vision Pro is finally here, and it’s turning heads with its impressive design and cutting-edge features.
After years of anticipation, Apple fans can now get their hands on this next-gen gadget, which has a starting price of $3,499 (around £2,800 / AU$5,300).
Despite its hefty price tag, the Vision Pro promises a unique and immersive mixed-reality experience.
Apple Vision Pro Price and Release Date
Apple released the Vision Pro on February 2, 2024.
The base model, which comes with 256GB of storage, starts at $3,499. For those needing more storage, Apple offers a 512GB model for $3,699 and a 1TB model for $3,899.
Additionally, Zeiss Optical Inserts, necessary for glasses wearers, are available for an extra $99 for reading lenses and $149 for prescription lenses.
Design and Unique Features
The Vision Pro shares some design elements with current VR headsets, featuring a large face panel and an elastic strap for a secure fit.
However, it stands out with its external battery pack, which provides up to two hours of use on a full charge and can easily fit in your pocket. This design choice enhances comfort, reducing the strain on the wearer’s neck.
One of the most notable features is the absence of controllers. Instead, the Vision Pro relies on hand tracking, eye movements, and voice inputs to navigate its visionOS software.
The headset uses 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to capture and interpret these inputs. There are also rumors of future versions possibly including finger peripherals for more precise interactions.
The Vision Pro’s Eyesight feature is another unique aspect. When the wearer is using augmented reality (AR) features, the front panel displays their eyes, creating the illusion of transparency.
In fully immersive experiences, this panel shows a cloud of color, indicating that the wearer is exploring a virtual environment.
Specs and Performance
Under the hood, the Vision Pro is powered by dual chipsets: the M2 chip, handling the regular software, and the new R1 chip, dedicated to its mixed reality capabilities.
Each eye is treated to a 4K micro-OLED display, providing stunning visuals with over 23 million pixels per display.
This high pixel density helps eliminate the screen-door effect common in other VR headsets.
The Vision Pro runs on Apple’s visionOS, a new platform supporting various applications, including immersive photos and videos, Disney Plus experiences, and productivity apps like Keynote.
It also allows users to play over 100 Apple Arcade titles on a virtual screen, creating a private movie theater-like experience.
Connecting with Other Apple Devices
While the Vision Pro is a standalone device, it can connect to other Apple products for an enhanced experience. For instance, it can create a personalized spatial audio profile using an iPhone with a TrueDepth camera.
It also provides MacBook users with a large virtual display that hovers above their real screen, helping boost productivity.
Bottom Line
The Apple Vision Pro marks a significant leap in VR and AR technology, offering a premium mixed-reality experience.
With its innovative design, advanced specs, and seamless integration with other Apple devices, it’s poised to set a new standard in the industry. However, its high price may limit its appeal to diehard Apple fans and early adopters.
