Vision Pro drop test pits Apple’s spatial computer against some very real damage

One of the most anticipated launches of the year happens to be Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. Bearing in mind the fairly hefty $3,500 price tag on the device (approximately Rs 2,90,652), which just recently went on sale in the US, one may wonder just how durable it is.

Well, to tell you just that, YouTuber Apple Track conducted a drop test of the Vision Pro headset. To find out how it went, read on.

Apple Vision Pro drop test: How it fared

YouTuber Sam Kohl recently conducted a durability test of the Apple Vision Pro headset.

Right off the bat, it came to light that the magnetic attachment for the light seal on the device isn’t very strong, since it came off and the headset fell when he picked it up by holding the same, rather than the device’s strap. The light seal on the Apple Vision Pro, for the unaware, blocks light from entering the headset and provides for a more immersive viewing experience for the user.

ALSO READ: Vision Pro: Everything you need to know about Apple’s headset worth almost Rs 3 lakh

Kohl’s video shows him bumping into several walls and doors while wearing the headset, suggesting it can affect one’s sense of proximity to other objects while wearing it for the first time. However, it was found that the Vision Pro headset can also handle these occasional bumps with ease, and shows little-to-no signs of damage at all.

Now, for the actual drop test. When Kohl dropped the headset from a height of about six feet, it was noticed that the glass on the headset remained intact for the most part, barring a few minor scuffs and scratches.

Surprisingly, even the cameras on the headset remained intact and continued to function as per usual as well.  The speakers, however, are a different story. On dropping the headset from a height of about six feet, the Vision Pro’s left speaker broke and was unable to function.

Now, for the second round, Kohl dropped the headset while standing on his couch, for added height. This time around, the device did have a few minor, albeit noticeable scrapes. Again, the cameras remained intact.

However, on dropping it for a third time, this time while standing on the couch and having his arms raised, to increase the height of the drop even more, Vision Pro’s glass front ended up getting shattered.

ALSO READ: Apple Vision Pro launch dates, pricing announced; here’s all you need to know

Not just that. Peeling off the same exposed a plastic front on the headset, which remains unseen otherwise. However, this didn’t cause the device to malfunction in any form, and it continued to function as usual. What’s more, the headset’s sensors and cameras also continued to function as per usual and showed no signs of damage whatsoever.

This goes to show that the Apple Vision Pro, made of premium materials including glass and metal, is an extremely durable device. However, when subjected to a beating, it can end up getting fairly damaged as well, and isn’t entirely impervious to accidents. Either way, should you happen to be planning to buy the MR headset from Apple for yourself, you now know just how durable it is, and hopefully, never have to find out another way.

Apple Vision Pro: What it is and what it can do for you

First revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) in June 2023, the Vision Pro headset is a mixed-reality device, that merges Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities.

That is to say, wherein it can show you both virtually generated visuals, as well as superimposed virtual images on your real surroundings. This means you could actually take FaceTime calls or stream movies on an extra-large virtual screen in your living room, without touching your iPhone or MacBook.