Want to Check Out Apple’s Vision Pro? Here’s How to Make a Demo Appointment

There’s little doubt that Apple’s new spatial computing headset is a marvelous and magical device, but there’s also no disputing the fact that at $3,500, it isn’t a product in many people’s budgets.

Thankfully, Apple understands that, and perhaps the best part of last Friday’s Vision Pro retail launch for most folks is not the fact that you can take one home but that you can now walk into an Apple Store and get a detailed tour of Apple’s spatial computing experience for yourself.

When the headset went on sale on Friday, Apple provided demos to walk-in customers. Depending on the store, that could have meant waiting in line even if you only wanted to try on a Vision Pro without any intention of actually making a purchase. However, starting today, Apple has begun taking appointments at most stores, letting you schedule a time slot to come in and experience the headset for yourself.

That’s important as this isn’t like any other device that Apple has ever sold. Although you can walk into an Apple Store and just pick up one of the display iPhone or iPad models and play around with it on your own time, a Vision Pro demo requires a tailored one-on-one experience with an Apple specialist.

Part of the reason for that is simply marketing; Apple wants to ensure that you understand everything the Vision Pro is capable of by guiding you through its brave new world of spatial computing rather than leaving you floundering to figure things out on your own. However, it’s also just a more practical way to handle a device such as this.

Firstly, simply leaving the bulky headset lying around on a table for anybody to pick up and try on would be an awkward way to go, and that’s even more true when you consider that Apple has a few dozen combinations of Light Seal and headband that need to be considered to ensure that you get the right fit so that it works as designed.

On top of that, you can’t wear the Vision Pro with glasses on, so if you need those for vision correction, Apple needs to insert the proper ZEISS Optical Inserts before letting you try out the headset.

All of this amounts to something that’s best handled with a more personal touch. As a result, you’ll need to book a specific 30-minute session at your local Apple Store, where a specialist can take the time to scan your face and get your eyeglass prescription so they can properly configure a Vision Pro specifically for you.

That will be done in the back, with a ready-to-go Vision Pro brought out for your personalized demo. Apple staff will also ensure that all components are appropriately sanitized between each session.

Once you finally put on Apple’s new headset, the specialist will take you through the user interface, explaining how to use your eyes and hands to control things, along with the Fit Dial and Digital Crown for adjusting for comfort and moving into a more immersive environment — basically shifting between the augmented and virtual reality modes.

Then you’ll get to enjoy various images and recorded videos in the Photos app, including those captured with 3D spatial photography and videography, using apps like Safari and then watching some immersive 3D movies, reportedly including “a compelling scene that makes users feel as if they’re on a tightrope.”

While not every Apple retail store has been fully equipped with a dedicated demo area, some of the more popular locations have special “Demo Zones” with sofas and carpets to create a more comfortable place to experience the Vision Pro.

Michael Steeber, a researcher and enthusiast of Apple’s retail stores and their history, shared his experience trying on a Vision Pro at Apple Mayfair. This particular store didn’t have a Demo Zone, so the demonstration was done at a table where Genius Bar appointments are typically held, although the store was equipped to handle several at a time. The specialist also took as much time as necessary to ensure a proper fit, so the appointments aren’t necessarily limited to a strict 30-minute window.

The demo is media, not spatial computing heavy, and its grand finale is a whirlwind of 3D video content. You’ll first watch a trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie in the TV app. Finally, you’re launched into a two-minute reel of Apple Immersive Video featuring several 180-degree 3D 8K clips. The reel is stunning and leaves you a bit speechless. That’s where the demo ends, but you won’t want it to. 30 minutes flies by.

Michael Steeber

While Steeber said the specialist followed up by asking if he wanted to buy a Vision Pro, the experience didn’t feel like the “sales tool” that it at least partially was. This is understandable, as Apple realizes not everybody is going to be ready to shell out $3,500 right now, but it’s also in line with Apple’s overall retail strategy; the company’s stores have always been places where folks are welcome to hang out and play with Apple technology without any sales pressure. After all, today’s curious onlookers could be tomorrow’s customers.

Appointments for a Vision Pro demo can be booked on Apple’s website up to seven days in advance or through the Apple Store app on your iPhone and iPad. Naturally, they’re only available in the US right now since the Vision Pro isn’t being sold in other countries — at least not yet. However, Apple will happily take appointments from anybody visiting the US, whether that’s folks on vacation or Canadians who feel like popping across the border to check it out.