Last Updated on
It’s official – after months of anticipation building, Apple has finally given us a new time frame for the launch of its mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro. Now that we’ve got an official pre-order and launch date, the Vision Pro is back in the spotlight, and people are more intrigued than ever. If the device is only now coming to your attention, or you just need a refresh, here’s a detailed overview of the Vision Pro’s specs, focusing on its tech, confirmed pricing, and its pre-order and release date.
Apple’s Vision Pro, unveiled at WWDC 2023, is its pioneering expedition into the realm of virtual reality and VR headsets. Boasting a high-end pair of goggles, the Vision Pro is intended to deliver a captivating blend of virtual and augmented reality applications, including the familiar App Store and FaceTime, opening up a world of innovative and immersive experiences. Sporting an M2 processor in tandem with yet another chip, the R1, Apple’s Vision Pro arguably is the most interesting and advanced VR/AR platform to date.
Apple Vision Pro at a glance
| Specification | Apple Vision Pro |
|---|---|
| Processor | M2 chip, R1 chip |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage space | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Display resolution | 4K per eye |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz, 96Hz, 100Hz |
| Display type | Micro-OLED |
| Weight | ~ 1.1 pounds |
| Lenses | Custom catadioptric lenses and ZEISS Optical Inserts |
| Connectivity and wireless | Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Controllers | Hand, eye, and face tracking |
Quick links
We now know the Apple Vision Pro release date
Fresh into the New Year, on the 8th of January a press release from Apple revealed the official pre-orders and launch dates for the Vision Pro. Pre-orders for Apple’s Vision Pro headset went live on Friday the 19th of January, and while there’s obviously a niche market for the device, it seems to have been popular so far. Then, two weeks on from that, from the 2nd of February, you’ll be able to find the Vision Pro headset stocked across all U.S. Apple Store locations and the U.S. Apple Store online – at least until it sells out! If you’re not interested in buying one, there will be demos available in US Apple Stores in which you can give the headset a go.
While the Vision Pro is lined up for a debut release in its native United States in the first quarter of 2024, international consumers will have to wait a bit longer, with the Vision Pro’s arrival in other countries such as the UK and Canada earmarked for later in the year. This staggered release schedule affords Apple additional time to further cultivate an ecosystem of bespoke games and applications for VisionOS, the headset’s highly intelligent operating system built from the foundations of iPad OS and Mac OS. However, according to Apple, an all-new App Store already gives users access to a wealth of one million compatible apps.
Will the Apple Vision Pro sell out?
On the whole, it’s still unclear how many Vision Pro headsets Apple is expected to produce, so it’s still too early to make a call on whether or not the Apple Vision Pro will sell out; but it’s definitely possible. Sources on MacRumors are pointing towards upwards of 200,000 devices being sold over the current pre-order period. With reviews now starting to go live, there may be a further boost in sales, but as it’s such a niche device with such a high price tag, it remains to be seen if Apple will manage to sell out its anticipated 500,000 Vision Pro units. Nonetheless, as such an exclusive product, the availability of the headset might still be hard to come by in the initial launch period.
Apple Vision Pro – specs
The Vision Pro from Apple sets a new benchmark for virtual reality technology with its myriad of advanced features, being quoted by the company as a “spatial computer”. The device boasts an impressive resolution of 23 million pixels spread across twin Micro-Oled displays, rendering video at 4K with High Dynamic Range (HDR). This is made possible by a custom three-element lens, enabling 4K HDR rendering. These lenses come with Zeiss inserts that magnetically attach for ease and flexibility. The panels are housed in a headset constructed from a custom aluminum alloy frame, skillfully molded to contour the user’s face comfortably.
Functionality and comfort aside, Apple has also taken care to ensure the efficient performance of the Vision Pro. The device’s efficient thermal design funnels air through the system, maintaining an optimal operating temperature. The external battery pack promises up to two hours of uninterrupted operation, which might not be the best battery life for most.
The hardware also showcases Apple’s first 3D camera, allowing users to capture and view 3D content. It’s also worth noting that you can take spatial videos on the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max with updates provided by iOS 17.2, allowing you to enjoy content from across your Apple ecosystem in an even more personal way.
Other standout features include spatial computing, spatial audio, a three-dimensional user interface that responds dynamically to light, intuitive spatial computing controls using hands, voice, and eyes, and an EyeSight feature for external eye display. It even comes equipped with an Optic ID that reads and remembers a user’s eye for security, analyzing the user’s iris for features such as passwords.
All these specifications come together to promise an immersive and intuitive VR experience, seamlessly blending your digital content with your physical world. Without a doubt, Apple is quickly ushering us into the new era of spatial computing, and whether we like it or not, the Vision Pro has the potential to have a huge impact on our physical and digital lives.
Apple Vision Pro – what do you get in the box?
Here’s everything you can expect to get packed in the box alongside your Apple Vision Pro:
– A Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band
– A light seal and two light seal cushions
– An Apple Vision Pro cover for the front of the device
– Polishing cloth
– Battery
– USB-C charging cable and USB-C power adapter
Apple Vision Pro – price
The device, packed with cutting-edge technology and innovative features, starts at $3499 for the base model equipped with 256 GB storage. Prospective buyers can begin their immersive journey into mixed reality from the February 2nd, 2024, when the headset becomes widely available for purchase in the US, or choose to pre-order on the 19th of January.
This investment promises to unlock a new universe of applications and experiences in virtual and augmented reality, a testament to Apple’s continual innovation and commitment to transforming technology.
Around seven times more expensive than the Meta Quest 3
Apple Vision Pro – design
The design of Apple’s Vision Pro merges aesthetics and functionality in true Apple fashion. Constructed from a blend of aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber, Vision Pro features a polished glass front and a lightweight aluminum frame that curves gently toward the wearer’s face for a precise fit. All sensors, microphones, and cameras are seamlessly blended into the design ethos of the device.
Adding to the ergonomics, a dial-adjustable fabric headband, available in various sizes, ensures a custom fit. Inside the box, you’ll get both the Solo Knit Band and the Dual Loop Band, with the ‘dual’ name signifying the pair of adjustable straps of the second band. Furthermore, those with prescription glasses need not worry, as Zeiss collaborates with Apple to offer customized Zeiss Optical Inserts that fit snugly inside the headset. These will come at a slight extra cost, with the Readers will be available for $99, and prescription lenses costing $149.
With its nod to Apple’s design language, the Vision Pro incorporates an Apple Watch or AirPods Max-styled Digital Crown. This can be used to focus on content for optimal clarity and acts as a pressable button for additional functions, such as capturing photos.
To keep the weight of the headset minimal, Apple has adopted an unusual approach: a waist-mounted battery pack. Connected to the headset via a MagSafe cable, it ensures quick disconnection if tangled, albeit it may take some getting used to.
Will the Vision Pro have voice control?
One of the main ways in which the Vision Pro is able to stand out is its core implementation of voice control, eye-tracking, and hand-tracking, features that aren’t widely used across other headsets on the market. Like most Apple products, Siri powers the voice controls on Vision Pro, and can perform actions such as the opening of apps, dictating messages, and starting FaceTime calls.
Will Vision Pro have VR?
Apple’s Vision Pro specs do indeed allow for virtual reality (VR) capabilities alongside its powerful spatial experiences. However, it is not solely a VR device. It’s designed as a mixed-reality headset, which means it blends both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences, meaning you can play VR games, and enjoy entertainment such as movies and TV shows.
Final thoughts
With the unveiling of Vision Pro back in June 2023, Apple marked its ambitious entry into the world of mixed reality, and the official release date makes it feel even more real. The device, crafted with impeccable attention to detail and cutting-edge technology, promises a transformative experience that merges virtual and augmented reality. With its immersive 4K displays, custom fit design, redesigning of familiar apps, and extraordinary 3D camera capabilities, the Vision Pro is set to redefine how we interact with the digital world. In fact, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the Vision Pro is the “most advanced consumer electronics device ever created”.
The Vision Pro headset, however, comes with a hefty price tag, starting at $3499. This reflects Apple’s commitment to delivering a high-quality, high-performance product. It will be intriguing to see how it resonates with consumers and shapes the market dynamics in the mixed reality sector when it becomes available at the start of 2024.
