Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest get competition from Sony's new XR headset

Sony's new XR headset is more 'pro' than Vision Pro and has 2 features Apple needs.

Sony surprised CES 2024 by unveiling a product that no one expected at the world's biggest tech event: a high-end XR headset that rivals Apple Vision Pro in capabilities and design.

This Sony-Siemens head-mounted display will arrive later in 2024 and will feature 4K OLED microdisplays, the new Qualcomm XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, wearable controllers, and a design that has echoes of Sony's PSVR2 but is also unique and attractive with clean curves and a minimalist aesthetic.

While Apple Vision Pro has "pro" in the name, it's aimed broadly at consumers and professionals.

The Sony-Siemens headset could be used to create those kinds of apps and experiences for Vision Pro, Meta Quest, or other headsets.

It will also be used to prototype and design lots of real-world products. It is solely aimed at professionals, engineers, and product designers, and it is meant to be a content creation device that will streamline product development by creating 3D prototypes in virtual environments.

Nevertheless, the headset clearly has a very thoughtful design that Apple, Meta, and other headset makers could learn from.

Two Sony features I wish Apple Vision Pro had
1. Flip-up facial interface

2. Wearable controllers