the apple vision pro

The Apple Vision Pro is a standalone VR headset that combines virtual reality and augmented reality in one device. It is the first product of its kind from Apple, and it promises to deliver a high-quality and immersive VR experience without the need for a PC or wires. It is also one of the most expensive VR headsets on the market, costing $3,499 for the cheapest model. In this review, I will cover the following aspects of the Apple Vision Pro:

• Design and comfort
• Display and optics
• Tracking and interaction
• Software and content
• Pros and cons
• Personal opinion and recommendation

Design and Comfort

The Apple Vision Pro has a sleek and futuristic design that looks more like a pair of sunglasses than a VR headset. It has a clear case and buds that let you see the inner components, as well as a minimalist and elegant aesthetic. It has two micro-OLED panels with a resolution of more than 4K in each eye and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It also has two cameras on the front that enable passthrough vision and eye-tracking. The headset does not have any controllers, but instead relies on hand-tracking and eye-tracking for input and interaction in VR. The headset also has a display on the front that can show your eyes or a cloud of color depending on whether you are in VR or AR mode. This feature is called Eyesight, and it is supposed to make you more approachable and less robotic when wearing the headset.

The Apple Vision Pro has an automatic IPD adjustment that adapts to your eye distance. It also has off-ear speakers that deliver spatial audio without blocking external noise. However, the headset requires an external battery pack that you have to carry in your pocket or attach to your belt. The battery pack can last for up to four hours of continuous use. The headset also requires a Facebook account to use, which raises privacy and security concerns for some users.

Display and Optics

The Apple Vision Pro uses two micro-OLED panels with an RGB π type subpixel layout. This means that it has three subpixels per pixel, but they are arranged in a triangular pattern instead of a row. This results in higher pixel density and less screen-door effect (SDE) than LCD panels. The panels also have higher contrast, color accuracy, and black levels than LCD panels. However, the panels only support a refresh rate of 90 Hz, which is lower than some other VR headsets. The panels also have lower brightness than LCD panels, which could affect visibility in bright environments.

The Apple Vision Pro uses pancake lenses, which are flat and thin lenses that have no rings on their surface. These lenses have a rendered field of view (FoV) of 104° horizontal and 98° vertical, which is slightly wider than some other VR headsets. However, these lenses also have some drawbacks, such as reduced eye relief, which is the distance between the lens and the eye. This could cause discomfort or eye strain for some users, especially those who wear glasses.

Tracking and Interaction

The Apple Vision Pro uses a combination of hand-tracking, eye-tracking, and passthrough vision to track your head and hands in six degrees of freedom (6DOF). This means that you can move freely in any direction and interact with the virtual environment naturally. The tracking is accurate and responsive, with minimal latency or drift. However, the headset does not have any controllers, but instead relies on hand-tracking and eye-tracking for input and interaction in VR. This means that you can use your fingers to point, pinch, grab, or gesture in VR. You can also use your eyes to select or activate items or menus in VR. However, this also means that the headset does not have any haptic feedback, which could reduce the immersion and realism of VR. It also means that the headset might not be compatible with existing VR apps and games that require controllers or specific button layouts.

Software and Content

The Apple Vision Pro runs on its own operating system called Vision OS, which is based on iOS. It allows you to access a variety of VR apps and games from the App Store, as well as other platforms like SteamVR or Viveport via a PC connection or wireless streaming. However, the App Store has fewer VR apps and games than some other VR platforms, as it is a newer platform for VR development. Some of the most popular titles include Minecraft VR, Star Wars: Squadrons, Resident Evil 4 VR, Pokemon Go AR+, and more.

The Apple Vision Pro also has some unique features that enhance the VR experience, such as Spatial Video, Spatial FaceTime, and Spatial Reality Platform. Spatial Video is a feature that allows you to watch 360-degree videos in VR, with the option to switch between different perspectives or zoom in and out. Spatial FaceTime is a feature that allows you to make video calls in VR, with the option to create digital personas or avatars that represent you in VR. Spatial Reality Platform is a feature that allows you to create and share your own VR experiences, using tools like Reality Composer and Reality Kit.

Pros and Cons

The Apple Vision Pro has many advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before buying it. Here are some of them:

Pros:

• It has a sleek and futuristic design that looks more like a pair of sunglasses than a VR headset.
• It has a high-resolution display that delivers sharp and clear visuals in VR.
• It has an eye-tracking feature that enables new forms of interaction and expression in VR.
• It has a passthrough vision feature that allows you to see the real world in VR.
• It has a spatial audio feature that delivers realistic and immersive sound in VR.
• It has a spatial video feature that allows you to watch 360-degree videos in VR.

Cons:

• It requires an external battery pack that you have to carry or wear.
• It requires a Facebook account to use, which raises privacy and security concerns for some users.
• It does not have any controllers, which could limit its compatibility and functionality with existing VR apps and games.
• It does not have any haptic feedback, which could reduce the immersion and realism of VR.
• It has a lower refresh rate than some other VR headsets, which could affect the smoothness and realism of VR.
• It has a lower brightness than some other VR headsets, which could affect the visibility in bright environments.

Personal Opinion and Recommendation

In my personal opinion, the Apple Vision Pro is an impressive and innovative VR headset that offers a unique and immersive VR experience. It is suitable for users who want to enjoy VR without the hassle of wires or PCs. It is also suitable for users who want to explore new forms of interaction and expression in VR, such as eye-tracking and hand-tracking. However, it is also very expensive, costing $3,499 for the cheapest model. It also has some flaws, such as its battery pack, Facebook requirement, controller-less system, and low brightness.

I would recommend the Apple Vision Pro to users who are interested in VR and want to try something different and futuristic. I think it is worth buying for its features and performance, but only if you can afford it. I would also suggest getting some accessories to enhance the experience, such as headphones or a PC link cable. I think the Apple Vision Pro is one of the most advanced and innovative VR headsets on the market right now, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.