Apple Vision Pro Secondary Head Strap Design 'Yet to Be Finalized'

When Apple unveiled the Vision Pro at WWDC in June, members of the press invited to try out the headset were able to use an optional secondary head strap that sits across the top of the head. The strap was spotted in Apple's promotional videos for the mixed reality device, but its marketing material made no mention of the accessory.

vision pro over head strap

Still from Apple's WWDC keynote video showing over-the-head strap in use

The braided headband that goes around the back of the head has a fit adjustment dial, but the one headband may not be comfortable or secure enough for some users, especially if the device is going to be worn for extended periods of time, which is where the secondary over-the-head strap comes in.

But Apple has apparently not yet fine-tuned the secondary head strap. According to a new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the secondary strap was introduced after testing determined that some people with smaller body sizes and heads struggle to wear the headset for more than half an hour or thereabouts. However, the design of the strap has "yet to be finalized," says Gurman.

One member of the press who got to try the headset in person at Apple Park was MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera. "A lot of people probably didn't know this just by looking at some press images, but there is another band that goes over the top of your head," said Dan in his initial impressions video.

In his opinion, with the additional strap attached, the Vision Pro is "not that far off from other headsets in terms of weight," but it does "a really good job of dispersing that weight" and making it not so front-heavy. "I do think most people will want to use it," he added.

Apple has not revealed the weight of the Vision Pro, but Apple's decision to offload the battery to an external pack highlights the need to keep the headset as light as possible. Apple is also apparently aware that some customers may not wear clothes with pockets capable of storing the battery pack, so it is considering asking accessory makers to create shoulder-worn pouches.

Other accessories could eventually be sold to protect the device, according to Gurman:

The company has found that the front of the headset could be prone to scratches, but it will likely outsource screen protectors to third-party makers as it does with its other products. Another concern: the front glass cracking if a user walks into a wall or an object. To help prevent such incidents, Apple has built in alerts to deter people from wearing the device while walking at certain speeds.

Gurman's latest report also reveals that Apple plans to launch the Vision Pro headset in the U.K. and Canada by the end of 2024, with preparations for the device's complex retail launch in the U.S. early next year already at an advanced stage.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

FloridaScrubJay Avatar
26 months ago
This is so unappealing. One of the few Apple products I have no interest in.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Edsel Avatar
26 months ago
MacRumor's staff member preparing to wear Vision Pro, without head-strap...
;-)


Attachment Image
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Edsel Avatar
26 months ago
Apple will probably price the accessory "OTH" strap at $399.99.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
everlast3434 Avatar
26 months ago
Man, that guy looks so creepy lol.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eriamjh1138@DAN Avatar
26 months ago
The over-the-head strap is the most un-newsworthy thing about the headset.

It’s a strap.

What’s next, that the colors are not finalized?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
segfaultdotorg Avatar
26 months ago
They should call it the iStrap-on.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)