The Apple Vision Pro garners both acclaim and critique in the realm of virtual and augmented reality. Extensive reviews in several magazines delve deep into its capabilities, yet it remains a subject of debate—is it merely another VR/AR headset, or something more?
Courtesy of the diligent team at heise online, I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the touted “spatial computing innovation” that hails from Cupertino.
Note: As with all VR headset evaluations, this review is based on personal experience. Individual perceptions of VR headsets can vary widely. Details not covered due to limited test time may be supplemented in future updates.
Apple Vision Pro Review in Brief
The Apple Vision Pro is a cutting-edge XR headset that impresses with its image clarity and user-friendliness. It integrates advanced hand- and eye-tracking technologies, offering a commendable performance even in robust pass-through scenarios.
However, its high cost does not correlate with the available content, making it a pricey investment. Additionally, it currently serves mainly as another platform for 2D content presentation, which does not live up to the disruptive reputation Apple aims for in an established industry.
The Apple Vision Pro marks another step towards an immersive future, but it still has a considerable journey to become truly “Pro.”
On the objective front:
- Image: The display resolution surpasses 4K per eye, delivering unprecedented sharpness akin to high-end PC VR headsets like those from Varjo or Pimax.
- Field of View: Noticeably narrower than the Quest 3.
- Passthrough: Quality varies with lighting conditions but generally provides a clear and immediate real-world view, although motion blur is noticeable.
- Hand-tracking: Exceptionally precise and instantaneous, offering a new standard for interactive experiences when coupled with flawless eye-tracking. However, it is less effective during rapid movements.
- Controllers: The absence of traditional VR controllers limits the applicability for fast-paced gaming.
- Mac integration: While the connection to Mac is smooth, the practical utility is limited.
Subjective elements vary by user:
- Comfort: The headset’s front-heavy design can cause discomfort on the cheekbones during extended use.
- Sound: Delivers robust and high-quality audio from built-in speakers.
The Apple Vision Pro is right for you if you
- Value superior image quality,
- Prefer advanced and accurate hand- and eye-tracking,
- Desire high-quality pass-through,
- Mainly use the headset for entertainment and presentations, such as design and visualization,
- Are prepared for a substantial financial outlay.
The Apple Vision Pro might not suit you if you:
- Require flawless passthrough,
- Seek a wealth of immersive and productive content,
- Anticipate a rich selection of AR experiences,
- Primarily use VR for gaming,
- Are unwilling to invest heavily in an XR headset,
- Prefer a comfortable headset, especially if you wear glasses and cannot use contact lenses.
Setup and Configuration
The setup for the Apple Vision Pro was pre-configured for my test, making initial assessments straightforward. The interpupillary distance (IPD) adjusts automatically upon wearing, and eye-tracking calibration is a separate, repeatable process, beneficial when sharing the device.
Eye-tracking performed admirably, enabling precise menu selections and other interactions. However, in areas with multiple interactive elements, such as browsing YouTube via Safari, unwanted highlights were frequent and distracting.
Vision Pro employs hand-tracking in tandem with eye-tracking as its primary mode of operation, foregoing traditional VR controllers. This method is supremely precise and responsive, making menu navigation and selection through simple hand gestures like pinching a delightful experience. Yet, this interaction style has its drawbacks: rapid hand movements, common in games like Fruit Ninja or Synth Riders, result in noticeable lag, rendering it less suitable for action-intensive gaming. An Xbox controller might be used for certain games like Moss 2, though the feasibility of this integration for gaming remains speculative.
Frequent unintended inputs also occur; the headset often misinterprets casual finger movements as commands, leading to unintentional actions like pausing a movie. This sensitivity necessitates careful gesture control to avoid accidental inputs.
Typing on the virtual keyboard is reliable but slow, suitable for brief text entries. For extensive typing, connecting a Bluetooth keyboard is advisable.
Visual Quality, Colors, Image, and Field of View
The Apple Vision Pro’s visual performance is stellar, boasting over 4K resolution per eye and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate.
The OLED displays offer vibrant colors and deep contrast, although internal reflections are more pronounced compared to the Quest 3.
The special lenses provide excellent edge-to-edge clarity with a narrower field of view than the Quest 3, a slight disappointment despite its overall high quality.
The mixed reality capabilities of the Vision Pro, such as the dinosaur demo and watching movies in 3D, are impressive, offering a cinematic experience superior to traditional theaters. Yet, the predominant 2D presentation in many applications falls short of expectations for a product from a company like Apple, which heavily markets its “spatial” capabilities but delivers an experience that feels underwhelmingly flat.
Passthrough and AR (Mixed Reality)
The Apple Vision Pro’s passthrough mode, superior to the Quest 3’s, nonetheless exhibits limitations. Technical comparisons reveal higher resolution color cameras in the Apple Vision Pro, yet the actual visual experience depends greatly on ambient lighting. In dim conditions, the image quality deteriorates, and head movements cause noticeable blurring and morphing of physical objects, although less so than in competing devices.
The display of hands in the passthrough mode is accurate, with minimal lag, significantly enhancing interaction with both virtual and physical objects. Screens and other physical elements appear crisp and distortion-free, beneficial for tasks like smartphone use while wearing the headset.
The mixed reality mode is highly functional, allowing for the placement of virtual screens that remain fixed in space, even when leaving the room. This feature, along with the ability to navigate physically without latency, underscores the practicality of the Apple Vision Pro in everyday settings.
Comfort
Despite its sleek design, the Vision Pro’s front-heavy weight of approximately 650 grams places significant pressure on the upper cheekbones, which can become uncomfortable over long periods. The headband, designed for comfort, does not sufficiently secure the headset during vigorous movements, leading to slippage.
The “dual loop” head strap, a response to early feedback, proves ineffective in balancing the headset, highlighting a fundamental design flaw. The face mask, while perfectly fitting, is too thin and may require third-party enhancements for improved comfort.
Glasses are incompatible with the Vision Pro’s current design. In regions outside the USA, where magnetic prescription lenses are unavailable, users must resort to contact lenses.
Battery Life, Sound, Software, and Applications
The Apple Vision Pro’s battery connects via cable and is wearable on the hip or in a pocket, lasting around one hour and 45 minutes in full passthrough mode and slightly over two hours in VR mode. This duration is generally adequate for most uses, though longer sessions may require simultaneous charging.
The audio quality is robust, with an option to pair with AirPods Pro for an enhanced auditory experience.
The software landscape for the Apple Vision Pro is surprisingly sparse, especially considering Apple’s reputation for robust app ecosystems. The initial offering primarily consists of 2D applications from the iPad environment, which is a significant drawback compared to the more diverse VR applications available on platforms like the Quest 3.
The range of apps currently falls short of expectations, raising questions about future developer engagement and the potential for more immersive applications. This aspect is critical as the device’s utility in spatial computing heavily relies on a rich content ecosystem to justify its price.
Mac Integration and Productivity
Productivity with the Apple Vision Pro is currently limited, suitable primarily for ardent Apple ecosystem users. Although the headset connects seamlessly to Mac computers, the practicality of this integration is questionable. The connection turns off the Mac’s physical screen, projecting it virtually, but does not support simultaneous use of the Mac screen with other virtual displays. This limitation, along with the absence of key productivity apps and the restricted battery life, undermines the Vision Pro’s potential as a productivity tool.
Moreover, the lack of popular productivity applications, such as those for image and video editing or coding, is a significant barrier, especially given the device’s high-end hardware specifications. This gap highlights a missed opportunity to leverage the Vision Pro for professional tasks beyond simple visualization and presentation.
Visual Interaction Through Eye-Sight
The Eye-Sight feature, designed to display a “reverse pass-through image” of the wearer’s eyes on the front display, falls short of its promotional portrayal. Environmental reflections often obscure the intended effect, and the misalignment of the displayed eyes can lead to humorous but unintended interactions.
While the feature aims to enhance social acceptance by enabling virtual eye contact, its current execution feels more experimental and less practical.
Data Privacy with Apple Vision Pro
As with any technology product, the Vision Pro collects user data through its integrated cameras and sensors. Apple’s reputation for privacy is generally positive, but the decision to share personal data remains a personal choice. Apple’s privacy policies outline the intended use and protection of this data, providing users with the information needed to make informed decisions about their privacy.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Vision Pro impresses with several advanced features, including high image quality, precise and intuitive interaction capabilities, and effective pass-through functionality. However, its high cost and lack of substantial