Apple Vision Pro pre-orders are just a week away. Now the company is serving up some details about how the ordering process including the use of face scans for a proper fit.

Apple Vision Pro pre-orders are set to begin on January 19th with a release date on February 2nd.

Face ID Scans During Vision Pro Ordering

In a recent marketing email, Apple explains “when you order Apple Vision Pro, you’ll need to scan your face with an iPhone or iPad with Face ID. This helps us determine the right size Light Seal and head bands, which work together to give you a precise fit.”

So not only does Vision Pro come with two different headbands, there’s also more than one size for those headbands, as well as the ‘Light Seal’ lens shroud. We don’t know exactly how many different sizes there are, but if I recall correctly from my hands-on time with the headset, Apple had shown small, medium, and large versions of the ‘Solo Knit Band’. As for the other headband, the ‘Dual Loop’, it isn’t clear if there’s multiple sizes since that strap has two adjustments already.

Vision Pro also supports vision correction inserts. Customers can give Apple their prescription at the time of purchase to order a pair of inserts that matches their vision prescription so the headset can be used without glasses (for an additional cost of $150). Non-prescription ‘reader’ inserts can also be ordered for $100.

Buy Vision Pro Without an iPhone or iPad

Apple says that you’ll need an iPhone or iPad with Face ID to buy Vision Pro online, but those without one can buy the headset in an Apple Store. Ostensibly the company will have devices available in stores to perform the face scan.

SEE ALSO
SteamVR Driver for Vision Pro Now in Development, Including VR Controller Support

Custom Fit Headsets a Growing Trend?

While it’s neat that Apple is leveraging its existing devices to pick the right size for each customer, Bigscreen Beyond still leads the way here.

Image courtesy Bigscreen

Bigscreen also does a face scan but uses it to create a completely unique facepad that makes a perfect fit for your face. The headset also comes in 18 different sizes to match to each user’s IPD without the weight that comes with an adjustable IPD mechanism. Prescription inserts are also available (and it’s a good thing because the headset is so small that glasses would never fit!).

Bigscreen Beyond’s custom facepad | Photo by Road to VR

Hopefully these devices are setting a trend that more headset makers will follow. Custom fit means more comfort for more people.

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Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • Torsten Balle Koefoed

    “Custom fit means more comfort for more people.”

    It may also mean that it will be more difficult to sell used. Which is likely to be an issue at some point with a 1st gen (from Apple) $3500 headset. Hopefully straps and facial interfaces will be sold separately as well, but knowing Apple the prices will be outrageous.

    • ViRGiN

      If you’re buying advanced, brand new category of product immediatly thinking about selling it in the future, you have your priorities wrong.

      • Torsten Balle Koefoed

        So the people who desperately needs to always have the newest and best Apple devices have all their old, unused devices lying around in a cupboard somewhere?

        • ViRGiN

          You must be strapped on cash; people have drawers full of old devices; handhelds, phones, tablets, you name it.

    • Christian Schildwaechter

      They said that replacement padding kits will be available at the Apple Store in several variants, so people can purchase whatever combination is most comfortable for them or other family members. No word yet on how much they will cost, but in the long run it shouldn’t be a problem to sell one, where people might want to replace used pads anyway.

      If you can afford a USD 3500 HMD that at launch is mostly restricted to watching movies and using iPad apps, you’re either an enthusiast, a developer or someone with a lot of extra money to spend. None of these groups are likely to quickly sell a device to recover their money. So I wouldn’t expect a significant market for used AVPs anytime soon, unless the AVP production remains constrained by display supply and high demand despite the USD 3500 price leads to long waiting times, driving used prices even higher. Hopefully high price and the non trivial ordering process successfully limit scalping.

  • MackRogers

    I couldn’t have asked for a better launch.

    This will crush the scalpers. I expect this entire thing to be a cluster, but not for the very first who get in(like me). If you wait 5-10 minutes after launch you will be boned as I believe the face scan is going to cause real issues.

    The fact that PST people have to be up at 5:00am(likely 4:30am) is going to remove a huge contingent of casuals as well.

    Couldn’t be more happy.

    • ViRGiN

      > My Apple Store, for example, is in an area that one might best describe as a fucking warzone. Now I wonder what is going to happen when I pick up my $4,000(after taxes) shoebox size item and walk to my car.

      Can’t wait!

      • Ardra Diva

        that’s why you carry my friend. .45ACP

        • sfmike

          MURIKA!!!

  • Ardra Diva

    more likely this is to prevent bots and scalpers from buying them up.

  • ArtB

    Just found out apple won’t even have a virtual keyboard on launch lol what piece of Apple BS marketing vaporware!!

  • ameba#23234 mdrea

    Used apple products for that price are pointless either way.

    You pay let’s say 2.5k only to spot a screen defect 2 weeks later impossible to ignore once seen – sorry unlucky

    If you already paid 2.5k for such device additional 1k for peace of mind and warranty and the best experience is very much the only sane way. Unless you love gambling