A First Look into the Marriage between iPhone 15 Pro & Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s latest announcements show how the highly-anticipated iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are set to revolutionize the way people feel about capturing and experiencing reality. Apple has always been outstandingly good at seamlessly integrating its devices into a unified ecosystem and it is happening again. A harmonious connectivity has always been the utopian objective of Metaverse; creating an interconnected, frictionless, and purposeful link between all aspects of real and virtual life.

During the recent Wonderlust event, Apple’s Senior Vice President, Greg Joswiak, revealed that the new smartphones will introduce the concept of “spatial video” to the masses. Thanks to the redesigned camera system and the addition of the powerful A17 Pro CPU, using their primary and ultrawide cameras, these phones will have the power to create immersive three-dimensional videos. The real game-changer, however, lies in what you can do with these videos. Soon, you’ll be able to watch them on the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset, slated for an early 2024 release. This headset promises to merge Virtual and Augmented Reality, taking us one step closer to the long-anticipated Metaverse. It is a glimpse into the future, and it’s here sooner than you might think.

The Vision Pro’s mixed reality headset looks like the future, or at least an early prototype.

Apple unveiled the device at a developer event on June 5th, 2023. The headset blends both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, a technology that overlays virtual images on live video of the real world. However, as a marketing choice, no mention was made of Virtual Reality, using the words Augmented Reality instead. This may sound like a surprise to most, as it is the seamless blending of the virtual and real realities that everyone is waiting on in the Metaverse.

At first glance, the Apple Vision Pro resembles traditional VR headsets and mixed reality devices like the Meta Quest Pro. However, there are distinct differences upon activation. A quick breakdown of Apple Vision’s Pro main features:

The front of the visor features a display under a curved pane of 3D laminated glass. This enables the Vision Pro to utilize Eyesight, which shows others your eyes for a more natural interaction experience.
The glass pane also functions as a lens for the extensive camera array, consisting of 12 cameras and six microphones. Users can control the device without controllers, using eye tracking, hand gestures, and voice commands.
Apple’s attention to detail extends to the custom curved aluminum alloy frame and modular design. The Light Seal, available in various shapes and sizes, ensures a perfect fit with soft fabric for comfort. The Head Band, also in different sizes, attaches at the front and includes speakers, known as “audio pods,” delivering immersive Personalized Spatial Audio.
The Vision Pro includes two buttons: an action button for capturing spatial photos and videos, and a crown-like button for controlling immersion levels. Apple promises that Eyesight will indicate when a photo or video is being taken to address privacy concerns.
One notable design aspect is the Vision Pro’s all-day usage when plugged in, requiring an external battery for wireless operation. The battery lasts approximately two hours and connects via a woven cable, necessitating another proprietary Apple charger.

The Vision Pro came with a general expectation not to appeal to the mainstream public simply because of price. Unlike Meta’s Oculus Quest, it seemed more targeted at professional users and early adopters. Yet, with the new iPhone release, Apple may be attempting to change or lower this expectation. It will be interesting to monitor the extent to which regular iPhone 15 buyers will also purchase the Vision Pro. We predict that specialized companies will surely invest in it, although most likely not as a purchase for all employees, and that Apple views Vision Pro as a first step to its long-term Spatial Computing product innovation strategy.

Overall, with the dream of Metaverse in mind, Vision Pro still appears too heavy to wear for long lengths of time. However, the overlaying of the useful apps, their ease of use, and the reliance on eyes and fingers, while viewing amazing graphics, are all appealing concepts to the masses. The new slimline battery that fits into a pocket is good, however, battery life is still too short, unless you stay tethered to the spot. The headset is also still a little bulky and the “eye display” is an interesting choice, but the thought of being seen out with this device may be off-putting to some people. According to our virtual-world enthusiasts, Vision Pro has still not fully centered the objective of bringing the virtual to real life in a meaningful way; but it is an incredible first step for the company and we are excited to see Apple improving on this.

And the biggest question of all “At almost 10 times the price of the Meta Quest Pro, which has recently reduced its cost, has Apple priced itself out of the market for a glorified new games console? ” We do not necessarily think so. The price is aimed at its short-term target market, professionals and early adopters. On the contrary, its marketing and the associated new product feature releases (Like the iPhone 15 Pro’s) are aimed at slowly getting the masses used to the idea of an immersive, spatial version of the internet; outlining a clear long-run strategy. Customer feedback will assist Apple in updating and refining its product, allowing it to create a demand-based product shift to spatial computing. Is this what the Appleverse looks like?