Apple 'Vision Pro' Over 5 Million Won... 'Dizzying' User Review [Tried It]

Experience Vividly with Images and Videos
High Definition and Clear Sound... A New World Opens
Threatening Cinemas and More... Limits of 'Cyber Mulbi'

Apple's 'Vision Pro', released domestically in November last year. Photo by Apple

Last Christmas, I spent the holiday with Apple’s Vision Pro, drawing both pity and envy from those around me. The Vision Pro is Apple’s first device equipped with a 3D camera and starts at a hefty price of 5 million won. It is quite expensive for a ‘portable’ IT device. However, it lived up to its name by guiding users into a new world. As I immersed myself in various vivid and lifelike content that filled my entire field of view, a couple of hours flew by in no time. I thought that in the future, movie theaters and art galleries might face serious competition from the Vision Pro. Yet, its weight of over 600g and the slight dizziness experienced during use posed clear limitations.

Since it is a device worn on the face like goggles with a band, the first step is to measure your head size. This can be done easily by syncing with an iPhone. My first impression upon receiving a Vision Pro tailored to my size was that it was ‘heavy.’ The total product weight, including the main unit, battery, and accessories, reached 3.7 kg. With the main unit alone weighing over 600g, it was uncomfortable to wear on the face for extended periods. However, the way it was used was revolutionary. My eye gaze acted as the mouse cursor. Simply rotating my wrist brought up and dismissed the home button and settings screen. Resting my hand comfortably on my lap, I could click by lightly touching my thumb and index finger together. Additionally, it was equipped with Apple’s M2 dedicated chip, an advanced spatial audio system, and an ultra-high-resolution display with 23 million pixels, which was more than enough to satisfy users.

When I synced it with my iPhone and played photos and videos stored on the phone through the Vision Pro, a whole new world opened up. Viewing photos taken at an art exhibition through the Vision Pro was so realistic that it felt as if I were actually at the exhibition. I could enjoy the artworks with a sense of depth while listening to relaxing music, without being jostled by other visitors. The panoramic photos I took while traveling also gave me a brief feeling of being back at those locations, thanks to the Vision Pro. When I entered the Apple TV application and played immersive content (music video) released last November by the singer The Weeknd, I felt as if the singer was alive and moving right in front of me. The thought that if Vision Pro content such as images and videos increases, I could enjoy everything in my room without going to theaters or exhibitions made me dizzy with excitement. The ability to recognize hand gestures and play various games in virtual space was another source of enjoyment.

However, the more I enjoyed the immersive content, the more dizzy and nauseous I felt. This symptom, similar to motion sickness experienced during virtual reality, is called ‘cyber sickness.’ Also, due to the device’s weight and pressure, I had no choice but to lie on my bed and look up at the ceiling when using it for long periods. The external battery, which lasts only 2 hours, is always necessary, making portability disappointing.