Apple Vision Pro was launched with a bang last June 6 with more than half of the presentation at WWDC 2023 being about it. Various demos were shown to share Apple's vision of how this augmented reality (AR) device will change the world. "Spatial computing", "immersive virtual world", "the most powerful headset" and "the most realistic AR visuals ever produced" are some of the keywords that Apple uses to sell Vision Pro to you.
All this is done to make users out there feel like paying around RM16,000 to own it. It must be admitted that he is among the people who are impressed by the technology displayed by Apple. As a veteran in the world of virtual reality headsets, I've tried several headsets offered by Apple's competitors.
From cheap Google Cardboard headsets to mid-range Samsung Gear VR and Pico 4 standalone headsets I've tried. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. What Apple has shown goes beyond what I've experienced and at the same time sees implementations (such as laptop support in VR) that are more user-friendly.
The majority of what Vision Pro can do can already be done in Meta Quest 2 for example. Based on the video released by MKBHD, the big advantage of Vision Pro is the absence of current lag, high-resolution color transparent mode, as well as a more mature ecosystem.
Virtual desktops have been supported by Meta Quest 2 since last year through Project Cambria but require additional applications before they can work. The Vision Pro user only needs to look at the MacBook Air screen and within a second the small 14″ physical screen is replaced by a virtual 65″ virtual screen with 4K resolution.
Various eye tracking technologies, pupil scan biometric systems, face scans to produce 3D avatars, accurate finger tracking, 3D cameras, spatial audio and Apple M2 and Apple R1 processors are stuffed in a headset that is said to weigh around 500 grams. There are no official specifications from Apple and this is the information we found in the videos of YouTubers who tried it. This is only slightly lighter than the Pico 4 (586 grams) and the Meta Quest 2 (503 grams).
This “lightness” is achieved by not placing the battery directly on the Vision Pro but instead requiring a wired connection with the power source kept in the user's pocket. This is the difference with Pico 4 and Quest 4 which put the battery directly on the headset.
What I really want to talk about is that the Vision Pro is like a Ferrari LaFerrari. Both use the latest, high-performance, cutting-edge and innovative technology at launch. Both are the most expensive devices/cars in their class at launch with only a select few owning them in the early stages.
Another similarity is that at full power, the LaFerrari and the Vision Pro can only be used for two hours. Driving LaFerrari is also not very comfortable due to the use of basket seats. Early users of the Vision Pro reported that it was not very comfortable to wear. After only 15 minutes the bridge of the nose started to hurt and the head felt tight.