Apple Vision Pro release date, specs, price, apps and features – inside the sci-fi VR goggles

APPLE Vision Pro is the iPhone maker’s next big thing – but what is it?

We reveal everything you need to know about the new gadget, including the Apple Vision Pro release date window, price, features, apps and more.

Behold, a “spatial computer”.

What is Apple Vision Pro?

Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset – although it’s officially being described as a “spatial computer”.

Mixed reality means the headset allows you to see the real world, but also introduces (or fully immerses you in) computer-generated images.

The gadget was announced on June 5, 2023 at Apple’s annual WWDC event.

It’s the first headset ever created by Apple, and runs on new software called visionOS.

Apple Vision Pro release date

Apple used its June 2023 reveal to confirm that the Vision Pro release date would fall in early 2024.

That means you won’t have one in time for this Christmas.

This release was specifically linked to the United States – so it’s unclear when the rest of the world will get it.

Estimates suggest there will be an initial supply of one million Vision Pro units.

It’s hard to predict the exact release date, but it could be tied in with an Apple spring event.

Here are dates for this event in previous years:

March 9, 2015 – Monday

March 21, 2016 – Monday

March 27, 2018 – Tuesday

March 25, 2019 – Monday

April 20, 2021 – Tuesday

March 8, 2022 – Tuesday

So if Apple were to release the Vision Pro at this event, it’d most likely fall in March – on a Monday or Tuesday.

The first Monday or Tuesday seems to always be skipped – as does the third.

So that leaves us with:

March 11, 2024 – Monday

March 12, 2024 – Tuesday

March 25, 2024 – Monday

March 26, 2024 – Tuesday

Late March seems to be the more popular choice – and typically a Monday.

So The Sun’s best guess for an Apple Vision Pro release event would be Monday, March 25 in 2024.

Of course we won’t know for sure until much closer to the date, so take all guesses with a pinch of salt.

Apple Vision Pro price

Apple’s Vision Pro is a very high-end product: it’s about as hi-tech and pricy as consumer headsets come.

So it’s got a fittingly premium price tag of $3,499 – plus tax.

That matches Microsoft’s mixed reality rival: the $3,500 HoloLens 2.

But it’s significantly more money than most consumer headsets you’ll find on the market today.

For comparison, the high-end Meta Quest Pro costs $999.99, and the Meta Quest 3 will set you back $499.

You can still pick up a Meta Quest 2 for $299.99 – and it’s an impressive bit of kit.

Sony’s PlayStation VR2 will set you back around $549.99.

Apple Vision Pro hands-on, features and performance – what can it do?

I spent 20 minutes trying out the Apple Vision Pro at WWDC in June 2023 – read about it here.

For a start, it looks good. It has a stylish AirPods Max design that is distinctly Apple.

And it’s quite small for an ultra high-end mixed-reality headset too.

Even the battery pack that dangles down and fits in your back pocket looks like bona fide Apple gear.

It’s also very comfortable and easy to adjust. You sort of forget you’re wearing it for the most part, initially anyway.

Only towards the end of my demo did I start to remember: “Oh yes, it would be better if I didn’t have to have these sizeable goggles strapped to my face to experience this.”

I can’t say whether it’s truly comfortable until we can get our hands on a review unit and don a pair for a few hours in one sitting.

This isn’t a problem exclusive to Apple, and it’ll almost certainly be solved by the industry eventually.

It’s a portable gadget, and will shrink over time.

For now, the Vision Pro about as good as it gets for comfort – and that means it’s very impressive.

During my demo session, I was able to get set up and try out some apps.

You’re able to see the room you’re sitting in, but a row of apps float eerily in front of you.

I tried out the Photos app where I enjoyed stunning and sharp panoramas, as well as spatial images and videos captured on the headset – offering a very cool depth effect that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the room with a memory. There’s nothing else quite like it.

I also had a go at multi-tasking, placing several apps around me.

You could have Messages open and your MacBook screen, and a photo of your family floating in the corner too.

Another fun feature I tried was called Environments.

These are a series of virtual spaces built by Apple that let you detach from the real world and immerse yourself in a far-off location.

I found myself at Oregon’s Mount Hood, fading in and out of the stunning vista using the Digital Crown.

An Apple staffer in the room began speaking to me and their figure faded gently into the scene – before disappearing again. Spooky, but a great idea.

Next in the demo was a one-minute Mindfulness meditation session.

I thought it would be difficult to relax with the Apple gear on my head and other people in the room watching me, but it was surprisingly peaceful.

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