Apple Vision Pro Review: A True Warrior in the Virtual Reality Realm?

XRTechLab – In-Depth Review

As a pioneering XR (VR/AR/MR) application development company in Vietnam with over 8 years of experience, XRTechLab is always eager to explore the latest virtual reality technologies. Recently, we had the opportunity to own and experience the Apple Vision Pro – Apple’s first foray into the promising virtual reality market. Let’s delve into our detailed review and insights about this device.

Overview of Apple Vision Pro

Unveiled in February 2024, the Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s inaugural virtual reality (VR) device, promising to deliver entirely new user experiences. The headset boasts a modern design, lightweight construction, and advanced features such as a high-resolution Retina display, powerful M2 chip, 3D cameras, and a unique eye and hand tracking system.

Apple Vision Pro’s Standout Features

The Apple Vision Pro offers numerous impressive features:

• 4K High-Resolution Display: Provides sharp, vivid images, fully immersing users in virtual worlds.
• Powerful Apple M2 and R1 Chips: The unique dual-chip design enables spatial computing on the Apple Vision Pro. It ensures smooth performance, quickly processing complex VR applications and high-end graphics.
• 3D Cameras: 12 integrated cameras, including a pair of high-resolution cameras, transmit over a billion pixels per second to the display, allowing you to see the world around you clearly. This system also enables precise head and hand tracking, real-time 3D mapping, and understanding hand gestures from various positions.
• Eye and Hand Tracking System: Enables precise control with hand gestures and eye gaze, offering a more natural interaction experience. Notably, the eye tracking feature can focus on buttons similar to mouse hover.
• Diverse App Store: Apple is collaborating with numerous developers to provide a rich VR app store, catering to various user needs.

Experiencing the Unique Features and Design of Apple Vision Pro

Beyond basic VR features, the Apple Vision Pro offers exclusive new features for a distinctive experience:

• EyeSight: The Vision Pro displays your eyes when someone is nearby. This effect creates a sense of transparency for the device. Additionally, EyeSight can showcase various movements to indicate your focus.
• Persona: Allows users to create 3DLive avatars, expressing their individuality in the virtual world.
• Eye-tracking: Tracks user eye movements, enabling intuitive and efficient VR application control.
• Lidar: Uses laser beams to scan the surrounding environment, measure distances, create detailed 3D maps, and ensure safe navigation and collision avoidance.
• Digital Crown: A digital knob on the headset for quickly adjusting volume, scrolling pages, switching between AR/VR, and performing other functions.
• 3D Live Photos: Capture 3D Live photos and videos, preserving cherished moments in the virtual world.
• SharePlay: Share VR experiences with friends, exploring the virtual world together and interacting in real time.

Apple Vision Pro: Ideal for Which VR Applications?

With its processing power, graphics display, and hardware supporting interaction, the Apple Vision Pro is expected to excel in creating innovative and useful VR applications across various sectors:

• Entertainment Apps:
  • VR Games: The Apple Vision Pro’s powerful hardware and sharp display make it ideal for playing graphically demanding VR games with smooth experiences.
  • VR Movies: Users can immerse themselves in the cinematic world with vivid visuals and audio, offering a completely new movie-watching experience.
  • VR Concerts: Attend live concerts in the virtual world, interacting with the artist and other audience members in a direct and intimate way.
• Shopping Apps:
  • 3D Shopping Experience: Customers can “visit” virtual stores, view 3D products from all angles, and interact with sales staff before making purchases.
  • Virtual Try-Ons: VR apps can help customers try on clothes, shoes, and accessories virtually before buying, saving time and effort.
  • VR Showrooms: Create virtual showrooms with a metaverse style, allowing customers to explore and experience products in a fully immersive environment.
• Experiential Apps:
  • VR Travel: Explore famous tourist destinations worldwide without leaving home.
  • VR Tours: Learn about history, culture, and science through live VR exhibitions.
  • VR Classrooms: Participate in online classes in a VR environment, interacting with teachers and other students visually and effectively.
• Office and Work Apps:
  • VR Meetings: Host online meetings in the virtual world, enhancing interaction and collaboration among members.
  • VR Training: Provide VR training courses, helping employees learn effectively and retain information better.
  • VR 3D Design: Use the Apple Vision Pro for 3D product design, simulating building constructions and architecture live.

Overall, the Apple Vision Pro has immense potential to deliver innovative and useful VR applications across various fields. However, with its current design, the Apple Vision Pro is best suited for entertainment, personal, or family applications rather than enterprise use (like HoloLens 2). In the future, Apple will undoubtedly continue to refine and upgrade its device or develop additional specialized versions for different target audiences. These advancements will contribute to transforming the way we live, work, and play.

Apple Vision Pro Shortcomings and Drawbacks

Despite its impressive features, the Apple Vision Pro has some drawbacks:

• High Price: Compared to other VR devices on the market, the Apple Vision Pro is significantly more expensive, making it inaccessible to many users.
• Battery Life: The Apple Vision Pro has a battery life of around 2 hours, requiring frequent recharging. Additionally, always carrying an external battery pack is inconvenient and increases the risk of device damage due to entanglement during movement.
• Compatibility: Currently, the Apple Vision Pro is only compatible with Apple devices, limiting its usability.
• Limited Apps: The app store for the Apple Vision Pro is currently quite limited and restricted in many countries.

Reasons for Low Apple Vision Pro Sales

While the Apple Vision Pro is technologically advanced and feature-rich, its sales have not met expectations. Some key reasons include:

• High Price: As mentioned, the high price is the most significant barrier preventing many users from purchasing the Apple Vision Pro.
• Lack of Content: The VR app store for the Apple Vision Pro is still relatively limited, failing to fully meet user needs. It primarily consists of compatible Apple apps and a few video, news, and mini-game applications.
• Competition: The VR market is highly competitive with strong rivals like Meta Quest 3 and HoloLens 2, offering lower prices and more diverse app stores.
• Ineffective Marketing Strategy: Apple may not have implemented an effective marketing strategy to promote the Apple Vision Pro, leading many users to be unaware of the product or its features.

Comparison of Apple Vision Pro with Meta Quest 3 and HoloLens 2

Conclusion

The Apple Vision Pro is an impressive XR device with advanced features and a unique design. However, its high price, limited content, and strong competition from other devices have hindered its sales.

For technology enthusiasts seeking the most advanced VR/AR experience, the Apple Vision Pro is worth considering. However, for general users with limited budgets, the Meta Quest 3 may be a more suitable option.

XRTechLab XR Team

XRTechLab believes that XR (VR/AR/MR) is a promising field with significant growth potential. We aim to collaborate with businesses and developers to create innovative and useful XR applications, providing users with the best possible experiences.