Apple reveals the refresh rate of the Vision Pro headset

While the Apple Vision Pro announcement at WWDC showcased the many functionalities of the headset, it didn’t delve too deep into the tech specs. Certain bits, like the refresh rate of the two displays therein, were left unmentioned. However, in a WWDC developer session, a presenter revealed that the display’s refresh rate is “usually 90 frames a second.”

For context, the iPhone 14 Pro models with their ProMotion displays feature refresh rates of 120Hz, allowing for a significantly smoother scrolling experience compared to the 60Hz refresh rate on the non-Pro models. 90Hz sits between the two configurations and is widely considered to be a huge jump compared to 60Hz, but just not as smooth as 120Hz. To create a convincing illusion of reality, virtual reality experiences usually require a minimum of 90Hz, a refresh rate at which the brain can readily perceive animation in the fast-moving VR space as natural movement.

Also read | Apple Vision Pro combines the virtual & real worlds: Here’s what it can and can’t do

However, the Vision Pro’s refresh rate can be spiked a bit in some cases. When watching a 24 FPS movie, the display is pushed to 96Hz to reduce the frame jitter effect that would’ve otherwise happened on 90Hz. 24 FPS doesn’t divide evenly into 90 but does with 96Hz.

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Apple’s decision to stick with 90Hz for its Vision Pro headset, even though some rivals can offer up to 144Hz, is an interesting one. Is this a strategic move taking into account the Meta Quest Pro, the other big name in AR headsets, which also runs at 90Hz? Or is it a trade-off for the 4K resolution per eye that the Vision Pro boasts?

Cranking up the refresh rate to 120Hz might have drained the already limited 2-hour battery life even faster.