I said earlier that while the Vision Pro looks insanely impressive, I still don't expect it to be giving my money away before a third device generations. If you're of the same mind, you might want to check out the $439 Viture One XR glasses.
To be clear, the company isn't trying to compete with the Vision Pro. The company's glasses are a different beast, but they have the same checkboxes, including the ability to view spatial video content captured on the iPhone 15 …
Viture One XR glasses vs Vision Pro
When comparing Vision Pro with Viture One XR glasses, the most important thing to understand is that the former are a stand-alone spatial computer, and the latter are an external monitor in glasses. format.
You can connect Viture One to your iPhone, iPad or Mac to view content and it will mirror the image. It can't do anything on its own (though there is an accessory that is essentially an Android TV on a neck strap).
| Vision Pro | Viture One |
| Spatial computer
Fully enclosed headset More than 4K by eye External cameras Shooting and viewing spatial video 2 hours of battery life Requires special inserts for lenses Weight 600–650 g |
External monitor
Glasses format 1080p per eye Dimming glasses Spatial video viewing Powered by connected device Built-in diopter adjustment Weight 78 g |
However, while the Viture One is a much simpler device, it does four key tasks that you might want to use the Vision Pro for:
- Watching movies
- Playing games
- View 3D video
- View spatial video
And he does it all in a device that is much cheaper, much more portable and easier to wear . Yes, and provides longer battery life – although I have to carefully check how long my iPhone battery lasts when using it.
(You can also use it as a Mac monitor, but I don't&# 8217;I don’t consider this as a key function of the glasses due to the 1080p resolution.)
Appearance of Viture One
At first glance, the glasses are not too different from standard sunglasses. Indeed, from the front, and until you get close, I don't think anyone will give them a second glance.
They have a matte black or white plastic body and I don't think they will get any – awards for style, but looks innocuous enough.
As you get closer, the dual-lens design becomes noticeable. . The outer lenses are similar to regular sunglasses (though more high-tech, as we'll see), and two smaller inner lenses are used to display images. In fact, it's only when you look at them from above that you can see that they are deeper than sunglasses, and when viewed from the side they stick out further.
There is no information for the observer. The only sign of the images you see is that the USB-C cable dangling from your iPhone indicates something technological.
Setup h2>
Setting up is very simple. I was surprised to find that it took less than five minutes from unboxing to use.
Initial setup steps:
- Find the right nose pads for you.
- If you are nearsighted, adjust the dioptres for each eye.
There are four different sized nose pads, as well as the option to use it without one (which worked best for me). The company stresses that you really want to make sure you get the right size, so try them all if necessary.
While both the Vision Pro and Viture One give you the option to use prescription lens inserts, the glasses fit together. Better: They have built-in adjustment dials covering up to 5 diopters. My prescription is -4.75 and I was able to adjust the dials to perfectly focus the image without the need for lens inserts.
To mirror your iPhone's screen, simply attach the MagSafe-type magnetic cable to the right arm of the glasses and plug in the USB connector -C to iPhone 15. That's it. Connecting the cable mirrors the video on the glasses and redirects the audio to the extremely discreet Harman speakers built into each earpiece. The only additional step on Mac is to select the glasses as your audio device.
(A separate adapter is available for use with the Lightning port on older iPhones.)
Controls
On the left temple of the glasses There is one multi-function button and a two-way rocker switch.
The multi-function button defaults to electrochromic film dimming of the outer lenses. When this feature is turned off, you can see through the glasses just like regular sunglasses, and the dimming reduces opacity, making it easier to view content in bright light. More on this below.
Pressing the button twice toggles the rocker switch between volume and brightness. Triple-tap the video “pins” into a fixed location so you can turn away from the screen. A long press switches 2D to 3D mode when viewing 3D content (for example, in 3D mode it is needed to view spatial video).
Watching standard video
Viture claims that the image you see with the glasses is equivalent to the image on a 120-inch TV. This comparison obviously depends on how close you sit to the TV, but when using it to simulate a projector on my living room wall, I found it to be equivalent to about 80 inches, which still seems quite large.
Although the resolution is only 1080p, it is clear. Indoors, when the electrochromic film was set to dim, the image was clear but still allowed a dim view of the room. Outdoors, or if you have a window behind you in daylight, it's best to snap on the optional front lens cap to completely block out the outside world.
After watching the video, I quickly became immersed in the game – and my first impressions are that this will be my favorite way to watch videos alone. (Though with an additional dock and a second pair of glasses, two people can also watch a video or play a game together.)
That's because it's so convenient to just sit or lie down in any position and always have the video in front of your eyes. . Especially in bed, you can lie on your back or either side without having to hold onto the screen. On public transport, you will also avoid neck pain from having to look at a screen on your lap or on a tray in the back of your seat. The glasses are quite light, so there is no discomfort from wearing them.
Since the speakers are located outside the ear, I was concerned that the volume should be high enough to disturb anyone nearby, but in reality it is virtually inaudible to anyone else.
Viewing spatial video
Apple is not making spatial video exclusive to Vision Pro. Viture One supports it when using the Spacewalker app, and last week we learned that there are indications that it will also be supported on Meta Quest headsets.
It makes sense: to shoot spatial video, you'll need Vision Pro or iPhone 15, so the more devices that can view video in this format, the greater the likely demand for an iPhone capable of capturing it.
I should note that I am skeptical about 3D video. I wasn't impressed by 3D movies or 3D TVs. I was not at all surprised when the first failed to set the world of cinema on fire, and the second turned out to be a passing fad. So consider my comments on the spatial video in that light.
Good news? Seeing a spatial video for the first time will definitely give you a wow factor. It made me smile and I enjoyed filming and viewing it … about 15 minutes. After that, I wondered if I would ever do this again.
Viewing 360 degree videos
Watching 360-degree videos also has to be done in the Spacewalker app, which I have to say is disappointing. This isn't a virtual reality headset where you can just turn your head to look around. You look at the flat-panel monitor in front of you and drag your fingers across the iPhone display to “look around.”
The 360-degree video was the best The most compelling reason for me to keep my Quest 3 – even though I rarely use it – and Viture One is definitely not a replacement.
Using Mac Apps
Vision Pro allows you to view your Mac through Virtual Display the same way you would if you were using an external monitor—using an external keyboard and trackpad/mouse. Viture One allows you to do the same, but only at 1080p.
Thanks to the Vision Pro's resolution, it has the potential to replace a larger screen monitor, either when working away from home or perhaps permanently. The only issue is the weight and discomfort factor, which were reported in early hands-on sessions and reviews.
The Viture One doesn't have that problem, but while the external monitor is large, it's still only 1080p. This means it can't realistically replace my widescreen monitor at home, although I will be testing its potential as a hotel room/vacation apartment setup. More on this next time.
Viture One: First Impressions
With FOMO for those of us who don't can do it or not wanting to spend over $3,500 on the Vision Pro, I wanted to share my first impressions before Apple's spatial computer hits the streets. This means that I am writing this article in just a few days’ use.
I think a new product category like this needs more time to see how it performs once the novelty and initial wow factor wears off. Likewise, to see what it is useful for and what it is not useful for.
For this reason, I will later share my impressions after using it for a long time, including using it in games, which is something I have not tried yet.
But first impressions after several days of use? As I said at the beginning, this is clearly not a direct competitor to the Vision Pro. But it does meet some criteria, and for an eighth of the price. At this point, I feel like I'll probably continue this after the novelty wears off; Let's see if I'm right.
