The iFixit expert team, renowned for assessing how repairable electronics are, has published a design review of the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset. This overview drew attention from MacRumor’s publication as well, signaling a broader interest in how accessible the device is for service and parts replacement.
iFixit’s teardown disassembles the Vision Pro to reveal a dense array of internal components, including multiple cameras and sensors, cooling fans, lens motors, and a variety of connection points. The intricate assembly underscores why taking the headset apart and performing repairs is not a trivial task, and it highlights how design choices influence long-term serviceability.
EyeSight, a feature designed to share eye contact in the experience, is described as a potential weak point for repair work due to its many potential failure nodes. Yet Apple earns credit for making the speakers and battery readily replaceable, a design concession that bodes well for practical maintenance and ongoing usability.
The Vision Pro is powered by an M2 chip featuring an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, a 16-core neural processor, and 16GB of memory combined. It also offers up to 1TB of storage and introduces an all-new R1 chip that processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to render content so it appears to be visually in front of the user’s eyes, enhancing immersion and reducing perceived latency.
The device launched in the United States on February 2, 2024, with Apple indicating plans to extend availability to other regions in the future, expanding access for early adopters and professionals across North America and beyond.
Earlier, a Russian mapping service released an application designed for the Apple Vision Pro, signaling early regional experimentation with AR and mixed reality software ecosystems and suggesting a broader, ongoing interest in how these headsets integrate with existing digital services.