Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Which Is Best VR Headset in 2023?

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the most exciting and immersive technologies of our time. It can transport you to different worlds, let you experience new things, and make you feel like you’re there. But not all VR headsets are created equal. Some offer better visuals, others offer more comfort, and some offer more compatibility. So how do you choose the best VR headset for your needs and preferences?

That’s where we come in. In this article, we’ll compare two of the most high-end VR headsets on the market: the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero. These are not your average VR devices. They are designed to deliver the ultimate VR experience, with stunning display quality, wide field of view, and powerful performance. But they also come with a hefty price tag and some trade-offs.

Apple Vision Pro Features and Specs 🍎

The Apple Vision Pro is the first VR headset from the tech giant, and it’s a game-changer. It’s a standalone device, meaning you don’t need a PC or a phone to use it. It has an external battery that you can wear on your belt or in your pocket, giving you up to 2 hours of VR time. It also has a sleek and lightweight design and is expected to weigh only 453 grams

But what makes the Apple Vision Pro stand out is its display quality. It uses pancake lenses, which are thin and flat lenses that reduce distortion and increase clarity. It also uses micro-OLED displays, which are tiny and high-resolution displays that offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The result is a stunning VR experience that is “more than 4K in each eye”, according to Apple.

The Apple Vision Pro also has some impressive features that enhance VR interaction. It has dual passthrough cameras that let you see the real world without taking off the headset. It has hand-tracking technology that lets you use your fingers as controllers. And it has an eye-tracking interface that lets you navigate menus and select options with your gaze.

The Apple Vision Pro runs on visionOS, a new operating system designed for VR. It lets you access a variety of VR apps and games from the App Store, as well as stream content from Apple TV+ and Apple Music. You can also use FaceTime to chat with your friends in VR, or AirPlay to share your VR view on a big screen.

The Apple Vision Pro is not cheap, though. It costs $3499 for the headset only, and you’ll need to buy additional accessories like headphones and controllers separately. It’s also not available yet. It’s expected to launch early next year in the U.S., and later in other regions.

The Apple Vision Pro is a VR headset for those who want the best of the best, and don’t mind paying for it. It offers an unparalleled VR experience that is immersive, realistic, and intuitive. But it also comes with some limitations, such as its high price, limited availability, and unknown compatibility with other platforms.

Here are some of the main features and specs of the Apple Vision Pro:

• Device type: Standalone VR
• Platform: visionOS
• Display type: 2 x Micro-OLED binocular
• Resolution: More than 4K in each eye
• Refresh rate: 90 Hz
• Optics: Pancake lenses
• Field of view: expected to be somewhere around 100-120 FOV. 
• IPD range: Hardware Adjustable
• Adjustable diopter: Prescription inserts available
• Passthrough: Dual passthrough cameras
• Tracking: Hand-tracking technology
• Interface: Eye-tracking interface
• Battery life: Up to 2 hours
• Weight: 453 grams expected
• Price: $3499 headset 

We’ll help you decide which VR headset is better for you by looking at its features and specs, display quality and resolution, field of view and binocular overlap, platform and compatibility, price and availability, pros and cons, and final verdict. We’ll also provide some examples of VR applications or scenarios where each headset shines or falls short.

Whether you’re a VR enthusiast, a professional user, or a curious consumer, this article will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. So strap on your headset and let’s dive into the comparison! 🚀

Varjo Aero Features and Specs ✈️

The Varjo Aero is the latest VR headset from the Finnish company, and it’s a powerhouse. It’s a PC-powered device, meaning you need a high-end PC or laptop to use it. It has aspherical lenses, which are curved lenses that reduce chromatic aberration and increase sharpness. It also has mini LED LCD displays, which are large and high-resolution displays that offer bright colors and high contrast. The result is a crystal-clear VR experience that has 2880×2720 px resolution per eye.

The Varjo Aero also has some impressive features that enhance VR comfort. It has a hardware-adjustable IPD range, which lets you adjust the distance between the lenses to match your eyes. It also has prescription inserts available, which let you use your own glasses inside the headset. And it has a balanced and ergonomic design, weighing 743 grams.

The Varjo Aero runs on SteamVR™, a popular platform for VR content. It lets you access a variety of VR apps and games from Steam, as well as other sources like Epic Games Store and Viveport. You can also use Varjo Base software to customize your settings, calibrate your headset, and update your firmware.

The Varjo Aero is not cheap, though. It costs $1999 for the headset only, and you’ll need to buy additional accessories like headphones and controllers separately. It’s also available now. It was released in December 2021, and the first shipments are expected by the end of 2021.

The Varjo Aero is a VR headset for those who want the best of the best, and have a powerful PC or laptop to run it. It offers a sharp and detailed VR experience that is comfortable and adjustable. But it also comes with some limitations, such as its high price, limited portability, and dependency on PC hardware.

Here are some of the main features and specs of the Varjo Aero:

• Device type: PC-powered VR
• Platform: SteamVR™
• Display type: 2 x dual mini-LED displays
• Resolution: 2880×2720 px per eye
• Refresh rate: 90 Hz
• Optics: Aspherical lenses
• Field of view: 115° horizontal x 134° diagonal at 12 mm eye relief
• Binocular overlap: Unknown
• IPD range: Hardware Adjustable
• Adjustable diopter: Prescription inserts available
• Passthrough: Has passthrough
• Tracking: SteamVR™ tracking
• Interface: USB-C cable
• Battery life: Depends on PC or laptop
• Weight:  around 680 grams
• Price: $1999 headset 

Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Display Quality and Resolution 📺

One of the most important aspects of a VR headset is the display quality and resolution. This determines how clear and realistic the VR images look, and how immersive the VR experience feels. Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero offer high-end display quality and resolution, but they use different technologies and have different strengths and weaknesses.

The Apple Vision Pro uses micro-OLED displays, which are tiny and high-resolution displays that offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Varjo Aero uses mini LED LCD displays, which are large and high-resolution displays that offer bright colors and high contrast. Both types of displays have their advantages and disadvantages.

Micro-OLED displays have a higher pixel density, which means they can produce sharper and more detailed images. They also have a lower power consumption, which means they can last longer on battery. 

Mini LED LCD displays have a higher brightness, which means they can look brighter in dark environments. They also have a higher refresh rate, which means they can cause less motion blur or flicker.

The Apple Vision Pro claims to offer “more than 4K in each eye”, which is expected to have a resolution of 3800×3000 pixels per eye and 23 million pixels across two panels. While, the Varjo Aero has a resolution of 2880×2720 pixels per eye and approx 17.3 million pixels across two panels, which is slightly lower than 4K. In terms of display resolution Apple Vision Pro is the clear winner.

The optics are the lenses that magnify and project the images from the displays to your eyes. The field of view is the angle of vision that you can see in VR. The binocular overlap is the area of vision that is shared by both eyes in VR. These factors affect how clear and realistic the VR images look, and how immersive the VR experience feels.

The Apple Vision Pro uses pancake lenses, which are thin and flat lenses that reduce distortion and increase clarity. The Varjo Aero uses aspherical lenses, which are curved lenses that reduce chromatic aberration and increase sharpness. Both types of lenses have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pancake lenses have a lower weight, which means they can make the headset lighter and more comfortable. They also have a higher field of view, which means they can make the VR images more immersive and expansive. However, pancake lenses have a lower binocular overlap, which means they can cause more eye strain or discomfort.

Aspherical lenses have a higher binocular overlap, which means they can cause less eye strain or discomfort. They also have a higher edge-to-edge clarity, which means they can make the VR images more consistent and uniform. However, aspherical lenses have a higher weight, which means they can make the headset heavier and less comfortable. They also have a lower field of view, which means they can make the VR images less immersive and expansive.

The Apple Vision Pro has a field of view of 100-120° (expected), and a binocular overlap of 70.02°. The Varjo Aero has a field of view of 115° horizontal x 134° diagonal at 12 mm eye relief and an unknown binocular overlap. The field of view and binocular overlap vary depending on the eye relief (the distance between your eyes and the lenses) and the IPD (the distance between your pupils).

In conclusion, Apple Vision Pro with its expected specifications seems to outshine vision pro in terms of display.

Related:  Apple Vision Pro vs HoloLens 2: Which AR Headset is Better?

Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Platform and Compatibility 🎮

Another important aspect of a VR headset is the platform and compatibility. This determines what kind of VR content you can access and enjoy, and how easy or difficult it is to set up and use. Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero offer different platforms and compatibility, but they also have some similarities and differences.

The Apple Vision Pro is a standalone device, meaning you don’t need a PC or a phone to use it. It has an external battery pack that you can wear on your belt or in your pocket, which gives you up to 2 hours of VR time. It also has a wireless connection that lets you stream content from your iPhone or iPad.

On the other hand, the Varjo Aero is a PC-powered device, meaning you need a high-end PC or laptop to use it. It has a USB-C cable that connects to your PC or laptop, which gives you unlimited VR time. It also has a wired connection that lets you stream content from your PC or laptop.

The Apple Vision Pro runs on visionOS, a new operating system designed for VR. It lets you access a variety of VR apps and games from the App Store, as well as stream content from Apple TV+ and Apple Music. You can also use FaceTime to chat with your friends in VR, or AirPlay to share your VR view on a big screen.

While, the Varjo Aero runs on SteamVR™, a popular platform for VR content. It lets you access a variety of VR apps and games from Steam, as well as other sources like Epic Games Store and Viveport. You can also use Varjo Base software to customize your settings, calibrate your headset, and update your firmware.

The Apple Vision Pro is compatible with iOS devices, such as iPhone and iPad. You can use your iOS device as a controller, or pair it with other accessories like headphones or controllers. You can also use your iOS device to stream content to your headset or mirror your headset to your device.

The Varjo Aero is compatible with Windows devices, such as PC and laptops. You can use your Windows device as a monitor, or pair it with other accessories like headphones or controllers. You can also use your Windows device to stream content to your headset or mirror your headset to your device.

The Apple Vision Pro is not compatible with other platforms, such as SteamVR™ or Oculus Quest. You can only access VR content that is available on the App Store or Apple services. You can also not use other accessories that are not made by Apple or compatible with iOS devices.

The Varjo Aero is compatible with other platforms, such as Oculus Quest or Viveport. You can access VR content that is available on other sources or services. You can also use other accessories that are compatible with SteamVR™ or Windows devices.

In conclusion, The Apple Vision Pro offers a standalone and wireless device that runs on visionOS and is compatible with iOS devices. while The Varjo Aero offers a PC-powered and wired device that runs on SteamVR™ and is compatible with Windows devices.

Related: Apple Vision Pro: The Future of Mixed Reality or a $3,499 Toy?

Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Features and Tracking 🚀

Another important aspect of a VR headset is the features and tracking. This determines what kind of VR interaction and functionality you can have, and how accurate and responsive it is. Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero offer different features and tracking, but they also have some similarities and differences.

The Apple Vision Pro has dual passthrough cameras that let you see the real world without taking off the headset. This can be useful for safety, convenience, or mixed-reality applications. The Varjo Aero also has passthrough, but it is less advanced and useful than the Apple Vision Pro.

The Apple Vision Pro has hand-tracking technology that lets you use your fingers as controllers. This can be useful for natural and intuitive VR interaction, or for apps that require fine-grained manipulation. The Varjo Aero does not have hand-tracking, but it supports SteamVR™ controllers, which offer more precise and versatile VR interaction.

The Apple Vision Pro uses an inside-out tracking system that does not require any external sensors or base stations. This can be useful for portability and simplicity or for VR in different environments. The Varjo Aero uses an outside-in tracking system that requires external base stations to track the headset and controllers. This can be useful for accuracy and reliability or for VR in large spaces.

The Apple Vision Pro has a wireless connection that lets you stream content from your iPhone or iPad. This can be useful for mobility and flexibility, or for VR content that is not available on the headset itself. The Varjo Aero has a wired connection that lets you stream content from your PC or laptop. This can be useful for stability and quality, or for VR content that requires high-end hardware.

In conclusion, The Apple Vision Pro offers a passthrough, hand-tracking, eye-tracking, inside-out tracking, and wireless connection. On the contrary, the Varjo Aero offers a passthrough, eye-tracking, outside-in tracking, and wired connection. So Apple Vision Pro has better features and tracking capacity than Varjo Aero.

Related: Apple Vision Pro vs Magic Leap 2: Which Mixed Reality Headset Should You Buy?

Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Comfort and Design 🕶️

Another important aspect of a VR headset is its comfort and design. This determines how easy and pleasant it is to wear and use, and how well it fits your head and face. Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero offer different comfort and design, but they have some similarities and differences.

The Apple Vision Pro has a sleek and futuristic design that looks like a pair of sunglasses. It has a lightweight and compact body that weighs only 453 grams. It also has a flexible and adjustable head strap that fits snugly around your head.

The Varjo Aero has a bulky and industrial design that looks like a pair of goggles. It has a heavy and large body that weighs 540 grams without the headband and 743 grams with the headband. It also has a rigid and adjustable headband that balances the weight on your head.

The Apple Vision Pro has a soft and breathable fabric that covers the front and back of the headset. It also has a cushioned and removable face pad that conforms to your face shape. The Varjo Aero has a hard and durable plastic that covers the front and back of the headset. It also has a replaceable and easy-to-clean polyurethane face cushion that fits your face contour.

The Apple Vision Pro has a hardware-adjustable IPD range, which lets you adjust the distance between the lenses to match your eyes. It also has prescription inserts available, which let you use your own glasses inside the headset. The Varjo Aero also has a hardware-adjustable IPD range, which lets you adjust the distance between the lenses to match your eyes. It also has prescription inserts available, which let you use your own glasses inside the headset.

The Apple Vision Pro has an active cooling system that prevents the headset from overheating or fogging up. It also has an ambient light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display according to the environment. The Varjo Aero does not have an active cooling system, but it has vents that allow air circulation. It also does not have an ambient light sensor, but it has a calibrated brightness of 150 NIT.

The Apple Vision Pro uses pancake lenses, which are thin and flat lenses that reduce distortion and increase clarity. The Varjo Aero uses mini LED LCD displays, which are large and high-resolution displays that offer bright colors and high contrast.

In conclusion, The Apple Vision Pro offers a sleek and lightweight design with a soft fabric and a cushioned face pad. While The Varjo Aero offers a bulky and heavy design with hard plastic and a polyurethane face cushion.

Related: Best Apple Vision Pro Alternatives in 2023: VR and MR Headsets That Won’t Break Your Budget 💰

Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Price and Availability 💰

Another important aspect of a VR headset is the price and availability. This determines how affordable and accessible it is, and how soon you can get your hands on it. Both the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero offer different prices and availability, but they also have some similarities and differences.

The Apple Vision Pro is a premium device that comes with a premium price tag. It costs $3499 for the headset only, and you’ll need to buy additional accessories like headphones or controllers separately. It also requires an iPhone or iPad to stream content to the headset, which adds to the cost.

The Varjo Aero is also a premium device that comes with a premium price tag. It costs $1999 for the headset only, and you’ll need to buy additional accessories like headphones or controllers separately. It also requires a high-end PC or laptop to stream content to the headset, which adds to the cost.

The Apple Vision Pro is not available yet, but it is expected to launch in early 2024. You can sign up for updates on Apple’s official website, or follow the news and rumors on various media outlets. The Varjo Aero is available now, but it is in limited supply. You can order it from Varjo’s official website, or from selected resellers in different regions.

The Apple Vision Pro is aimed at professionals and enthusiasts who want the best VR experience possible, and who have deep pockets to afford it. The Varjo Aero is also aimed at professionals and enthusiasts who want a high-end VR experience, but who are more interested in simulation and training applications.

In conclusion, The Apple Vision Pro offers a higher price and a later launch date than the Varjo Aero. While The Varjo Aero offers a lower price and an earlier launch date than the Apple Vision Pro.

Related: Is Apple Vision Pro Real? A Comprehensive Guide to the $3,499 Mixed Reality Headset

Apple Vision Pro vs Varjo Aero: Conclusion and Verdict 🏆

We have compared the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero in terms of their features, specs, performance, design, comfort, price, and availability. Both headsets are amazing devices that offer some of the best quality and performance in VR. But they also have some significant differences that may affect your decision. Here is our conclusion and verdict on which headset is better for you:

• If you want a standalone VR headset that does not need a PC or a smartphone to use, and that has hand-tracking, eye-tracking, passthrough cameras, and an external battery pack as standard features, then the Apple Vision Pro is the headset for you. It also has a higher resolution, a higher refresh rate, a wider field of view, and a lighter weight than the Varjo Aero. However, you will have to pay a premium price of $3499 for the headset only and wait until early 2024 to get it. You will also have to use Vision OS applications and games, which may not be as diverse or compatible as SteamVR applications and games.
• If you want a PC-powered VR headset that can run SteamVR applications and games, and that has eye-tracking, passthrough cameras, and an external battery pack as standard features, then the Varjo Aero is the headset for you. It also has focal area displays, which provide a sharper and clearer image in the center of your vision. However, you will need a powerful PC and a tether cable to use it and pay a high price of $1999 for the headset only. You will also have to deal with a lower resolution, a lower refresh rate, a narrower field of view, and a heavier weight than the Apple Vision Pro.

Final take, Apple Vision Pro is better than Varjo Aero in most aspects.

We hope this article has helped you compare the Apple Vision Pro and the Varjo Aero and make an informed decision. Thank you for reading! 😊

Kuldeep Kumar

Hey there! I’m Kuldeep Kumar, and tech is my jam. From the mind-blowing world of AI to the thrilling battlegrounds of cybersecurity, I love exploring every corner of this amazing world. Gadgets? I geek out over them. Hidden software tricks? Bring ’em on! I explain it all in clear, bite-sized chunks, laced with a touch of humor to keep things sparky. So, join me on this tech adventure, and let’s demystify the wonders of technology, one blog post at a time.