iFixit tears Apple's Vision Pro to pieces
- Reference: 1707147008
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/02/05/ifixit_apple_vision_pro/
- Source link:
Depending on your stance, [1]Apple's VR/AR goggles are either revolutionary or a very visible way of demonstrating that you have $3,499 or so to burn.
[2]iFixit has yet to assign a repairability score to the Vision Pro, however, seeing as the gang managed to break the device in the process of getting into the visor, we're not expecting much. Then again, Apple's approach to shaving weight off by having the user carry the battery in a pocket received a nod from the teardown team.
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The battery pack is hefty, consisting of three iPhone-sized batteries that combine to pump out an impressive 35.9 Wh, more than double the 17.3 Wh of the iPhone 15 Pro. Getting into the box, which weighs 353 grams, required softening some glue, releasing some metal clips, and twiddling Torx screws. A relatively simple process when compared to the headset itself.
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Next to competitors like the Meta Quest Pro, the Vision Pro is light, although approximately the same weight as Meta's device when the battery is removed. Batteries included, the Vision Pro nudges the kilogram mark, making Apple's decision to have the user carry the battery separately a sensible move.
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Apple Vision Pro teardown, pic: iFixit
iFixit was delighted to note the modular nature of the headset. The speakers can easily be removed, although it is best not to try and get into the device. iFixit found them almost as difficult to get into as a pair of AirPods Pro. The light seals are attached with magnets – another logical move considering the variety of face shapes out there.
However, the iFixit team described the connection to the battery as "unforgivable." A magnetic one for the connection to the headset makes sense, but selecting a proprietary connector for the battery pack itself? USB-C would have been the more logical choice, but it seems that old habits die hard at Apple.
Still, if you're prepared to drop that much money on a VR headset, we doubt Apple's approach to cable pricing will cause you to lose too much sleep.
[7]Apple's easiest to replace battery is in... an iMac
[8]Google Pixel gets privacy mode to keep your selfies safe from prying repair techs
[9]Fairphone 5 scores a perfect 10 from iFixit for repairability
[10]Right-to-repair fight going national as FTC asked to lay down the law
What could haunt your dreams though is the odd-looking display of the wearer's eyes on the front of the device. In theory, it's a neat idea. However, it is marred by some awful execution and, judging by reviews, has proven to be the most controversial part of the headset.
Apple was going for a 3D representation of the upper portion of the wearer's face. The problem is that the display is rather dim and has a low resolution. The iFixit team prised the visor apart – unsurprisingly, the glass is glued on, and the removal process caused some damage – and found lenticular lenses beneath an exterior OLED panel. A 3D face is created via a stereoscopic effect – multiple face images for multiple angles. It all goes together to create the dim and strange face effect.
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The EyeSight display is a curious choice in what is otherwise an impressive technical tour de force. The Vision Pro packs an M2 chip, alongside some dedicated AR silicon, into something that can be worn on the face. While the iFixit team noted that repairability was "not great" – that glass looks awfully fragile – there were some thoughtful touches. However, the hardware pairing required for prescription insert lenses came in for criticism.
Perhaps, regardless of marketing speak, Apple did not feel there was enough in the Vision Pro to differentiate it from the rest of the market, and so on went the EyeSight display. It's a strange decision since it adds weight and complexity to the most mass-sensitive part of the headset.
We will update this piece when there is a final repairability score. However, if you've got several thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket and a yearning to show your loyalty to the Apple brand, repairability may not be that much of a consideration. ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2023/06/05/apple_vision_pro/
[2] https://www.ifixit.com/News/90137/vision-pro-teardown-why-those-fake-eyes-look-so-weird
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZcEUOGW47fMNOW@9pnSnzQAAABE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZcEUOGW47fMNOW@9pnSnzQAAABE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZcEUOGW47fMNOW@9pnSnzQAAABE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://regmedia.co.uk/2024/02/05/vision_pro.jpg
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/18/apples_easiest_to_replace_battery/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/15/google_pixel_gets_repair_mode/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/07/fairphone_5_repairability/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/15/righttorepair_ftc_petition/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZcEUOGW47fMNOW@9pnSnzQAAABE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Cnnot use with glasses so need prescription lens inserts
WTF?
Surely if I'm shelling out huge amounts of money for VR, then, given the "images" presented are all chip generated, it should not be too difficult to electronically apply a transformation so the image is appropriate for whatever prescription the user provides to the VR set. *
.. Given that lots of people wear glasses, and your prescription can change over time, then potentially needs purchase of multiple inserts (unless the VR headset has a ripoff short life span). Inserts are "only" 149$ (so assume will be £149 or above in UK, in usual 1 - 1 or higher mark-up used on currency conversion) so "cheap" by Apple standards (but more than my most recent prescription glasses purchased in 2023)
.. Not that I'm in the market for VR as I can see no compelling reason - there is no "killer app" for VR
* Yes I'm aware this would need additional processing (& simplistically, potentially more / better chips including as I'm sure current hardware is minimum they can get away with) - but we are not exactly talking a low budget product here.
Re: Cnnot use with glasses so need prescription lens inserts
A 2D display can't bend light, so no amount of processing can replace what lenses do - lenses change the direction of light rays entering the eye. Now, a true light-field display might be another matter.
Re: Cnnot use with glasses so need prescription lens inserts
There are lenses in front of the displays though - my optical physics is as rusty as my own eye-sight, but I'd wager that having them moveable would do the trick. Much like I can use a pair of binoculars without my glasses.
Or, even more simply, just have room inside the headset to wear your own glasses - like others do.
Re: Cnnot use with glasses so need prescription lens inserts
They would have to flex, not move. Moving them would only moving the focus point back and forth, but would need to move "as much" as the user prescription (i.e. bad eyes, equals several feet away!) and the image would be corresponding far away / shrunk for that person.
They would have to be lenses that can literally "bend" to refocus the light, which would basically be like inventing a universal software-controlled pair of spectacles that can be used by literally anyone, bad eyesight or not, with any prescription, and be able to change from any prescription to any other prescription, without having to worry about ever making another lens ever. We don't have that technology yet.
Ifixit consulted with, amongst others, Karl Guttag for their AVP teardown. He's an expert on wearable displays, and in his blog he analyses all manner of AR and heads-up display.
https://kguttag.com/
He's said he might review his AVP unit alongside a new Sony MR headset (hich is only available to business and is being released in partnership with Siemens NX CAD software).
Apple use 'passthrough' AR where cameras capture an image of the real world, combine it with virtual content, and display it to the wearer.
Another approach is Optical AR, where light from the real world enters the wearer's eyes, with virtual content also directed to the users by means of lenses and mirrors.
There are pros and cons to both approaches, neither is yet perfect. Any definition of 'good enough' depends upon the user and the application.