Lumafield explores inside the Apple Vision Pro with industrial X-ray CT

By combining their Neptune industrial CT scanner and analysis software Voyager, Lumafield has been able to conduct non-destructive testing of Apple’s Vision Pro, and the Meta Quest Pro and 3 headsets. Through this in-depth analysis, Lumafield were able to unpack the differing design philosophies of each product, and how each headset fulfils different requirements of the market.

Initial scans of the Vision Pro found that the primary circuit board was built around a PCB ribbon, which allows for additional electronics to be fitted at varying angles. The clear goal of the internal design was to use as little amount of space as possible, to ensure that the external laminated glass front plate and brushed aluminium frame can take centre stage.

Contrasting with the Vision Pro, both Meta headsets feature a single plane where all elements are housed. This allows for a quicker production time whilst maintaining effectiveness. These design choices are a key indicator regarding the target market that Meta is looking to entice, with affordability and ease of use prioritised. Meanwhile, Apple is offering a more expensive product to appeal to their regular clientele.

While each of the three headsets aim to achieve similar results, they all feature differing specifications.

Apple Vision Pro:

• Dual 3,680 x 3,140 micro-OLED displays.
• Features eye and hand tracking to enable UI navigation through a LiDAR scanner, eye-tracking IR cameras, a TrueDepth camera system, down-ward facing cameras, MEMS microphones.
• M2 and R1 processing chips.
• External battery pack.
• Micro-blowers provide a cooling system that requires minimal space and reduced noise pollution.
• Audio provided by two AudioPods with dual-driver setup. 

Meta Quest Pro:

• Dual LCD panels with 1,800 x 1,920 pixels.
• Hand-held controller, action trigger sensors, SLAM cameras, and 3D thumb stick sensors.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform processing.
• Integrated, curved battery pack.
• A copper heat pipe and two cooling fans provide active and passive cooling measures.
• Minimal internal audio system which channels sound directly to the headset wearer’s ears.

Meta Quest 3:

• Pixel resolution: 2,064 x 2,208.
• Hand-held controller, action trigger sensors, SLAM cameras, and 3D thumb stick sensors.
• Features four cameras and time of flight sensor.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 platform processing.
• Battery located in the front and centre of the headset.
• Includes a simpler cooling system with one fan while omitting the heat sink.
• Minimal internal audio system which channels sound directly to the headset wearer’s ears.

Through Lumafield’s CT scanning analysis, the quality control specialists have been able to deduce the type of customers both Apple and Meta have tried to target with their headset products. While Apple have clearly created a product meant for consumers that are looking for a top of the range headset, Meta are trying to appeal to more casual customers who may be looking to try an augmented or virtual reality headset for the first time and don’t wish to break the bank.

Lumafield has previously completed even more fascinating CT scans, including on Christmas tree lights and a Heinz ketchup cap.