Reviews You Can Rely On

Apple Vision Pro Review

Outstanding visuals at an elevated cost in a sleek ski-goggle headset better suited to stationary tasks and passive entertainment
gearlab tested logo
Apple Vision Pro Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $3,699 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Apple
By James Maiz ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 16, 2024
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 5
  • Tracking - 35% 7.0
  • Comfort - 30% 7.1
  • Visuals - 15% 9.0
  • User Friendliness - 15% 7.1
  • Ease of Setup - 5% 9.5

Our Verdict

Apple's Vision Pro boasts incredible visuals with no discernible screen door effect due in part to its automatic interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment. The sound is excellent, as well, so there is plenty to enjoy for a sense-tingling immersive experience, whether floating over a gorgeous landscape or kicking back to enjoy a movie. You can also browse the web, listen to tunes, and pop open a plethora of apps. If the high-end price tag isn't too much of a barrier and your work and play style is more sedentary than frenetic, this could be a fun choice. However, gamers might be dismayed by the system's limitations. During our testing, the tracking didn't feel fast or consistent enough for even medium-intensity games, and the current lack of access to content outside of the Apple ecosystem could be a dealbreaker. To see which models are more gaming-friendly and to get a sense of other quality options, read our breakdown of VR headsets.
REASONS TO BUY
Visually superb with great sound
Automatically gauges IPD
Three storage tiers
Suitable for app work and movie immersion
REASONS TO AVOID
Extremely pricey
Limited gaming capabilities
Motion blur
No built-in battery

Compare to Similar Products

 
apple vision pro
This Product
Apple Vision Pro
Awards Top Pick Award
Working and Relaxing
Editors' Choice Award
Runner Up Headset
 Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall/Stand Alone
 
Price $3,699 List$999 List$550 List
$449.90 at Amazon
$500 List
$499.99 at Amazon
$799 List
$498.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
75
86
85
82
74
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A sharp innovative (and expensive) display geared more toward browsing, work, and movie watching than gamingA solid and high-performing VR headset that doesn't require a top-shelf GPUThis great value headset should excite PS5 players looking for upgraded VR immersionOne of the best standalone headsets on the VR market represents evolutionary improvements on the Quest 2 at a reasonable priceThis headset will appeal to users with glasses or who require top-notch tracking precision
Rating Categories Apple Vision Pro Valve Index PlayStation VR2 Meta Quest 3 Vive Pro 2 Headset
Tracking (35%)
7.0
9.8
8.8
8.4
9.7
Comfort (30%)
7.1
7.4
7.7
7.7
5.2
Visuals (15%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
8.5
8.4
User Friendliness (15%)
7.1
9.8
8.6
8.2
6.0
Ease of Setup (5%)
9.5
6.5
9.0
9.5
6.5
Specs Apple Vision Pro Valve Index PlayStation VR2 Meta Quest 3 Vive Pro 2 Headset
Measured Weight 1.37 lbs 1.86 lbs 1.31 lbs 1.13 lbs 1.94 lbs
Tracking type Built-in Cameras External Sensors Built-in Cameras Built-in Cameras External Sensors
Per Eye Manufacturer Resolution 3660 x 3200 1440 x 1600 2000 x 2040 2064 x 2208 2448 x 2448
IPD Adjustment Automatic IPD: 51 - 75mm Mechanical IPD: 58 - 70mm Mechanical IPD: 57 - 73mm
*Rough measurement
Mechanical IPD: 53 - 75mm Mechanical IPD: 57 - 70mm
Measured Horizontal Field of View 95º 110º N/A 100º 110º
Measured Vertical Field of View (Up) 25º 40º N/A 35º 32º
Measured Vertical Field of View (Down) 35º 45º N/A 45º 32º
Manufacturer Field of View N/A Optimized eye relief adjustment allows a typical user experience 20º more than the HTC Vive 110º 110º Up to 120º
Manufacturer Refresh Rate 90, 96, 100Hz 80, 90, 120, 144 Hz 90, 120 Hz 72, 80, 90, 120Hz 90, 120 Hz
(only 90Hz supported via VIVE Wireless Adapter)
Sound Built-in headband Built-in, 37.5mm off-ear 3.5 mm port, included earbuds
Bluetooth connected via the Console
Built-in headband
3.5 mm audio port optional
Built-in, on or off-ear
Connection Type to PC Wifi with a 3rd party workaround - DisplayPort 1.2
  • USB 3.0
- USB-C Stand alone
(Optional PC Connection: Meta Quest Link Cable and Air Link )
- DIsplayPort (DP to mini-DP adapter included)
  • USB 3.0
Room For Glasses No Below average Excellent Average Above Average
Manufacturer Minimum PC Specs N/A OS: Windows 10
Processor: Dual Core with Hyper-Threading
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Additional Notes: Available DisplayPort (Version 1.2) and USB (2.0+) Port Required
N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup
OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11
Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
Memory: 8GB+ RAM
USB Port: 1 USB Port
OS: Windows 11 / Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 equivalent or greater
Memory: 8 GB RAM or more
Video Out: DisplayPort 1.2 or higher. DisplayPort 1.4 or higher with DSC is required for Full Resolution mode.
Manufacturer Minimum GPU N/A NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, AMD RX480 N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup Supported GPUs:
NVIDIA Titan X, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Desktop 6GB, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070(all), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080(all), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 TI, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series (all), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series
Please Note: NVIDIA 3050 (laptop) and 3050ti GPUs are not recommended for use with Link.

AMD 400 Series, AMD 500 Series, AMD 5000 Series, AMD 6000 Series, AMD Vega Series
Please note: the Radeon RX 6500 is not recommended for use with Link.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 equivalent or greater. (Not full resolution)
Manufacturer Recommended PC Specs N/A Processor: Quad Core +
Additional Notes: Available USB (3.0+) Port Required for Headset Pass-Through Camera & USB Port Support
N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup
OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11
Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
Memory: 8GB+ RAM
USB Port: 1 USB Port
Better than Minimum Specs
Manufacturer Recommended GPU N/A NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or better N/A Uses PS5 Optional Link Cable Setup
Nvidia RTX 20 Series, AMD Radeon RX 6000 Series, or greater
GeForce RTX 20 Series (Turing) or AMD Radeon 5000 (Navi) generations or newer required for Full Resolution mode.
Hardware Platform Needed Stand alone PC PS5 (PlayStation 5) Stand alone
(optional tether to VR ready PC)
PC

Our Analysis and Test Results

Apple's Vision Pro truly excels if your goal is to escape into an immersive cinematic world. It also offers fun new ways to experience FaceTime, navigate apps, and view a virtual display for your Mac or iPad. You can modulate the pass-through opacity while interacting with all of these apps floating over your analog world and make your selections with a glance of your eyes and a pinch of your fingers. The remote control-free operation can be convenient. However, the tracking leaves much to be desired due to this modification.

Performance Comparison


The Vision Pro opens up worlds of possibilities for out of the box uses. It is an amazing tool for multi-tasking if you need to add a bit of entertainment to your morning workout.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Tracking


Coming in hot with a feature that differentiates the Vision Pro from most mixed-reality headsets, the interface is controlled by a user's eyes and hands rather than hand-held controllers. While not having to hold a controller can be freeing in some respects, the tradeoff is a sacrifice in accuracy. And despite the advanced IPD detection, eye tracking doesn't always equate to a seamless experience either. We found that recalibrating can sometimes help improve the situation.


There were a number of times during our tests that the tracking didn't activate when pressing fingers together, and the headset only seemed to track the index and thumb for pressing. One tester mentioned, “It is more natural to use my middle finger and thumb.” We also found on numerous occasions that the eye tracking didn't make the correct selection even when looking directly at the object in question. We tried closing alternate eyes, but that didn't resolve the issue. We wound up having to redo the eye scan or take the headset off and put it back on to reset the calibration whenever we ran into this problem. On the flip side, if things are working fine, sometimes taking the headset off and putting it back on would throw things out of whack, and we would have to recalibrate again.

The finger controls are purported to work while holding your hands in a comfortable position, like your lap, but we found that unreliable much of the time. On most occasions, repositioning our hands more directly in front of the headset made for a better experience. While playing games in SteamVR, there was lag and inconsistent responsiveness, and things could get horribly delayed or not work at all. In short, when it works, it works great; when it doesn't, it doesn't.

The Apple Vision Pro's eye and hand tracking can be imprecise, laggy, or sometimes not work at all
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Comfort


Our comfort ratings are is based on number of factors, including how a headset feels on the face, perceived weight, breathability, and if you can wear glasses with the headset. We rated the Apple Vision Pro's comfort slightly above average for its comfy cushion and fabric, which we found pleasantly akin to a soft t-shirt. At 1.37 lbs, the Vision Pro is an average weight for the group, but forgoing the top head strap translates to more weight felt on the face. An external battery sits on the left side of the device and adds a bit of weight there. This is also where the cable connects to the headset, but it was so light that we never noticed any tugging when moving around.


When shaking our heads vigorously, the headset would move a fair bit. With quick movements to the left and right, it stayed decently well in place without smashing into our noses. After laying on the couch while wearing the headset, one tester noticed the odd sensation of his forehead falling asleep a couple of times from the weight on his face. While the fabric that comes into contact with your face is quite comfortable, our testers mentioned noticeable hotspots coming from the band after about ten minutes. If you are a glasses wearer, unfortunately, there is hardly any room to accommodate glasses behind the screen, but it is possible to add prescription optical inserts as an add-on purchase.

A dial on the side of the headband of the Vision Pro helps keep it snug and secure. We found that it stays in place with moderate head movement.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Visuals


The Vision Pro's visual experience is the high point of this product. With a whopping 23 million pixels, the display looks absolutely stellar and has no screen door effect whatsoever. If an image or video doesn't look high resolution enough or seems off, it is most likely the image and not the headset. This makes for fantastic solo movie viewing, emotionally moving landscape immersion, and educationally enriching 3D experiences.


There were some drawbacks, again, when it came to gaming, mainly due to the more limited field of view. While playing Beat Saber (through streaming), we couldn't make out any of the numbers for the leaderboards on the right. On the left side, we could see white from letters but couldn't make out any of the words. While streaming Realovirtual Workshop, however, we could have a rather large window open, look at all corners, and the text was clear. The field of view's sweet spot is most of the screen. In our in-house tests for field of view, we measured the horizontal at roughly 95°, up at about 25°, and down at around 35°.

apple vision pro - the vision pro's breathtaking visual experience might knock you on...
The Vision Pro's breathtaking visual experience might knock you on your back
Credit: Natalie Kafader

User Friendliness


The Vision Pro scored average for daily use for a couple of reasons. Firs, the donning and removal process was not as easy as we expected. Rather than an elasticated band (like we thought), the head strap on the Vision Pro is a fixed length which you then adjust by rotating a knob on one side until it fits snugly on your head. This allows for a more personalized fit but takes a bit longer than if the band was stretchy. However, the headset does have overall good comfort and shareability. An excellent sound system is built into the headband with two amplified drivers above each ear, and there is a built-in microphone which can be turned on and off by glancing upward and pinching a green dot to open the control center. However, we didn't love that the sound is also audibile to those not wearing the headset.


Sharing the headset is simple enough, though not the fastest process, as noted above. However, we liked that the headset prompts you to do an IPD test and will automatically adjust it to best fit the current wearer. Once you get the hang of using the adjustment wheel for the band size, it is relatively easy to put on, dial in, and remove. To adjust the headband, you loosen the strings inside the band with the wheel and then tighten it up. It's not as easy as it might be with a larger knob or elastic bands, but it beats fussing with the velcro on the top strap, especially when you get hair involved.

apple vision pro - the vision pro provides excellent sound from speakers that sit above...
The Vision Pro provides excellent sound from speakers that sit above each ear and is relatively easy to share
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Ease of Setup


This is another area where the Apple Vision Pro shines. Getting started with this model is comparable to setting up a tablet. You go through a few menu items, and you're good to go. With the pass-through cameras, there isn't a room scale to set up. And with the automatic IPD adjustment, setting things up for individual users is pretty much a breeze with this all-in-one headset.


If you are immersed in a vr environment and someone walks up to you (or you get close to a solid object), the pass-through will activate for the area of concern. The display will also sometimes show an alert to let you know that you are too close to an object in the analog world. Overall, it is a painless and very streamlined process that will be appreciated by those who like their technology to be hassle free.

apple vision pro - you can get up and running pretty quickly after following a few...
You can get up and running pretty quickly after following a few prompts with this standalone headset
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Apple Vision Pro?


In some respects, Apple's Vision Pro is a window into the future of VR. With awe-inspiring visuals, fantastic sound, and a novel spatial application display, there is much to explore and enjoy. However, despite having some gaming capabilities, we think that its tracking shortcomings, limited access to content, and sky-high price tag will likely deter most serious gamers. But if you're budget can accommodate, and you are more interested in taking an immersive dive into your smartphone with apps open in multiple windows or escaping into a cinematic experience, then sensorial nirvana awaits you.

apple vision pro - in their headset, apple offers incredible visuals, great sound, and...
In their headset, Apple offers incredible visuals, great sound, and a number of nifty tricks at a hefty premium.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other VR Headsets Should You Consider?


If you're not willing to fork over funds for what some might consider a work-in-progress, or if you want access to a more extensive gaming library and better playability, you might want to have a look at the Meta Quest 3. It is also a standalone headset that offers easy setup and good shareability but comes with hand-held controllers, which greatly improves accuracy. The Valve Index is another option worthy of consideration. It is user-friendly with nice visuals, too, and boasts even better tracking due to its reliance on external sensors. An added bonus with both of these headsets is that they are much more reasonably priced.

apple vision pro - apple's vision pro is not ideal for gaming but is fantastic for...
Apple's Vision Pro is not ideal for gaming but is fantastic for cinematic immersion - freaky eyes also included
Credit: Natalie Kafader

James Maiz