Apple on Monday finally previewed its long-awaited mixed-reality headset, Apple Vision Pro, announced over a decade ago at its annual software developer conference WWDC 2023. The AR/VR headset is expected to go on sale early next year at a whopping starting price of $3,499.
Apple Reveals Its First ‘Vision Pro’ AR Headset Starting At $3,499
According to the Cupertino giant, Apple Vision Pro is “a revolutionary spatial computer that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world while allowing users to stay present and connected to others.”
Vision Pro doesn’t need controllers or hardware. The AR/VR headset introduces a fully three-dimensional (3D) user interface that is controlled by a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. Users can browse through apps by looking at them, tapping their fingers to select, flicking their wrist to scroll, or using voice to dictate.
Further, the Apple headset features the world’s first spatial operating system, VisionOS, which makes digital content look and feel present in a user’s physical world.
The device features a micro-OLED display system capable of displaying 23 million pixels into two displays, each the size of a postage stamp, with wide color and high dynamic range. Apple describes this as “more than a 4K TV for each eye”.
According to Apple, with two ultra-high-resolution displays, Apple Vision Pro can transform any space into a personal movie theater with a screen that feels 100 feet wide and an advanced Spatial Audio system.
Moving further, while Apple’s M2 processor powers the headset, it also includes the new R1 chip explicitly designed for Vision Pro that processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones.
A new secure Optic ID authentication system that can be paired with a keyboard scans users’ irises for on-device security and works with Secure Enclave. In addition, Apple added that the Vision Pro could go up to two hours of use via an external battery, reducing the device’s weight on the user’s head.
Additionally, the headset also features EyeSight, which uses a front-facing display to help users stay connected with those around them and give visual cues to others about what the user is focused on.
Another feature in Vision Pro includes Apple’s first 3D camera, which allows users to capture “Spatial” photos and videos.
The Vision Pro has a dedicated App Store to download new AR and VR software. At launch, it will be compatible with 100+ Apple Arcade games, with the company promising to reveal more of its gaming plans later.
Besides TV content and Arcade, Walt Disney’s Disney+ streaming service will be available at launch on Apple Vision Pro to mark 100 years of Disney.
The new Apple Vision Pro will be available in early 2024, starting at $3,499, initially launching in the U.S. with plans for expansion to other countries later next year.
For detailed information about Apple Vision Pro, you can click here.
