Imagine strapping on a futuristic headset that promises to blend your real world with digital wonders, only to find it's still a rare luxury few can afford or justify. Apple's Vision Pro has just gotten an upgrade, but does it really make a difference? Let's dive into the details of this sleek device and explore whether it's finally living up to the hype—or if it's still stumbling in the same old pitfalls.
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It's been well over a year since Apple's Vision Pro made its debut in Australia (https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5jrg6), and yet, encountering someone who actually owns one remains as uncommon as spotting a unicorn in your backyard. The reasons are straightforward: the price tag is sky-high, its advantages over competing mixed-reality headsets aren't always obvious, and it's deeply entwined with Apple's walled garden, where developers haven't exactly rushed to plant their seeds.
But here's where it gets controversial—despite these hurdles, the Vision Pro shines as an impressive piece of technology that's steadily polishing its edges. With the introduction of the new M5 chip, Apple has given the Vision Pro a fresh boost (alongside updates to the iPad Pro and the basic MacBook Pro), packing in extra processing muscle and AI capabilities.
I seized this moment to give the headset another whirl and check out the transformations.
VisionOS 26 brings a wave of enhancements
I hadn't spent much time with the Vision Pro since its launch, and while the core experience feels familiar, the software overhauls have genuinely elevated it. Slip on the headset, and you'll seamlessly view your actual environment, but twist the knob to slowly overlay it with custom virtual backdrops—like a serene alpine lake or the rugged surface of Jupiter's moon. Floating app windows and menus surround you, controlled by gazing and clapping your fingers together. The outward-screened EyeSight feature even lets passersby know if you're tuned in or tuned out. It's all quite standard so far.
The standout addition in VisionOS 26 (rolled out in September) is spatial widgets. Think of them as those handy widgets on your smartphone, but instead of sitting on a screen, they cling to your real walls and remain fixed in place. Stroll to the kitchen and return, and those office widgets will be right where you left them. Many are designed with a skeuomorphic flair, meaning they mimic real-world objects to merge subtly with your view. Picture a clock that resembles an actual wall-mounted timepiece, framed photos that look like gallery displays, or a favorite music album turning into a lively concert poster. One personal standout is the virtual window widget, where you can insert a panoramic image from your photo collection, creating the illusion of gazing out at a cherished vacation spot.
Speaking of photos, another clever update lets the system automatically convert recent snapshots into Spatial Scenes. Leveraging AI, these add a layer of depth to the images, which shift as you tilt your head, giving the sensation that you could step right into them. Not every photo pulls this off perfectly, but it's a fascinating leap toward reliving memories in a more immersive way, even if they're currently static.
The last notable software tweak is the refined Persona feature. Here, you scan your face to generate a lifelike CGI avatar that appears on FaceTime calls within the headset. It mirrors your expressions, animating as you blink, speak, puff out your cheeks, or poke out your tongue. Sure, it can feel a tad eerie at first, but combined with precise hand-tracking, it makes online gatherings feel more genuine than your typical Zoom session.
Boosted power tackles some woes, but not all
A major gripe I had with the initial Vision Pro was its awkward headband, which felt flimsy and let the headset's heft press uncomfortably on my nose bridge. Thankfully, that's been overhauled with a redesigned version featuring a rear counterbalance and an additional top loop for better stability.
If you've got an older model, you can pick up this new strap separately—and you'll still unlock all of VisionOS 26's goodies. So, what's truly improved in the M5-equipped edition? Primarily, the visuals are crisper and more fluid, hitting up to 120Hz for a smoother gaze. This makes navigating your space effortless, and when hooking up to your Mac for a massive virtual screen, even tiny text stays sharp and legible. The M5 chip should also supercharge gaming performance over the M2, and now the Vision Pro plays nice with Sony's VR controllers. But this brings us to a persistent elephant in the room: the scarcity of compelling content.
Sure, there are some neat native apps, but nothing that holds my attention beyond a brief test run. The App Store boasts about 3000 apps and games tailored for Vision Pro, plus a vast array of others that function like floating iPads. Watching videos is undeniably the highlight—especially with immersive spatial videos, including the latest Metallica concert—but collectively, it's maybe enough for a couple of days of binge-watching. Otherwise, you're stuck with 2D content in a personal virtual cinema. If 3D manipulation isn't essential and you have another screen nearby, justifying the headset's use can be a real challenge.
And this is the part most people miss: compounding everything is the $6000 price point. It might reflect the premium hardware, but no matter how accurately it tracks your gestures, how effortlessly it integrates digital tools into your workspace, or how enchanting it is to see photos and videos turned spatial (though videos need special recording for that effect), I can't pinpoint a practical scenario that this device handles better than cheaper alternatives.
Competition is heating up
Meta has been entrenched in the headset arena (https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5eo0b) for years, with roots tracing back to Oculus VR, so it's no shock they've developed a more seasoned offering. Interestingly, you could snag 12 of their newest Quest 3S headsets for the cost of a single Vision Pro. Apple trumps Meta in hardware specs and Mac integration, plus access to the App Store, yet the Quest offers a built-in battery (unlike Vision Pro's external pack), superior color pass-through, and a treasure trove of apps and games.
Recently, Microsoft unveiled Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11, compatible with Meta's devices. It's akin to Vision Pro's Mac virtual display: glance at your PC, connect, and arrange your view into multiple screens or a sweeping curved one enveloping your field.
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Samsung is set to release the first headset powered by Google's Android XR, seemingly borrowing heavily from Vision Pro features but at roughly half the price. Vision Pro retains superior processing and a faster refresh rate, but the Galaxy XR matches in display resolution and tracking, weighs less, taps into Google AI, and thrives in a more accessible ecosystem.
If Apple can't lure developers to create standout software, even the mightiest chip upgrades won't help it keep pace.
What do you think—is the Vision Pro's upgrade enough to justify its steep cost in today's competitive landscape? Do you see untapped potential in spatial computing that rivals haven't explored, or is it time for Apple to rethink its strategy? Share your views in the comments—do you agree that cheaper alternatives like Meta's offerings make more sense, or is there a killer app waiting to change your mind? Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here. (https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p570wt)
