iFixit Disputes Apple’s Claim about Apple Vision Pro Display
A recent teardown of the Apple Vision Pro headset by iFixit has sparked controversy over the actual number of pixels in the display. iFixit claims that Apple’s statement about the headset having 23 million pixels is inaccurate and that each panel only has about 12.1 million lit pixels.
The company stated, “You may have heard the explanation that each panel has more pixels than a 4K TV. This is a clever way of marketing – they successfully used the 4K wording without claiming that these panels can deliver 4K resolution.”
iFixit used a microscope to calculate that each pixel of the display is about 7.5 microns, with the display size being approximately 27.5 mm x 24 mm. By dividing the dimensions, the company determined that the lit area is approximately 3660 x 3200 pixels, not meeting the 4K definition according to commercial standards.
However, iFixit also noted that 4K TV displays typically have 3840 x 2160 pixels, and the Apple Vision Pro is close to 4K in one dimension and exceeds 4K in the other. Ultimately, iFixit calculated that the Apple Vision Pro display has about 3,380 pixels per inch.
The company also emphasized the importance of pixels per degree (PPD), which measures the number of pixels observable per degree of field of view. iFixit calculated that the Apple Vision Pro has an average PPD of approximately 34 pixels based on a 100-degree field of view, stating that the image quality is significantly higher compared to other devices.
In addition to the display, iFixit also looked at the Vision Pro battery, describing it as “simple but over-engineered.” The battery consists of three stacked iPhone-sized batteries, with a total power consumption of 46.08 watt-hours, despite the battery description stating 35.9 watt-hours. iFixit speculated that Apple may be deliberately underestimating the watt-hour rating.
The final repairability score given by iFixit was a 4 out of 10, noting that while the components of the headset itself are modular and can be replaced, the battery pack cannot be opened without damage.
This teardown by iFixit raises questions about the accuracy of Apple’s claims regarding the Apple Vision Pro display and provides an in-depth analysis of the device’s components and construction.