Apple has released some information on how the Vision Pro headset will adjust performance based on battery condition. The headset draws power from lithium-ion batteries, so it is expected to face similar issues to other Apple devices that use lithium-ion batteries.
The company explains in a support document that in some cases, users may see performance changes such as "extended application launch times, reduced frame rates, reduced wireless data throughput, dimmed screens, or reduced speaker volume."
Systems built into the headset run in the background and are constantly alert for conditions such as low battery power, battery chemical aging, or excessive peak power. Here's the full explanation provided by Apple:
VisionPro has built-in software and hardware systems that help reduce performance impacts that may occur in certain situations, such as low battery state-of-charge, high peak power, or battery chemical aging.
The system is automatic, always online, and provides the best performance possible. The system dynamically monitors power demands and manages performance to meet those demands in real time.
This system allows VisionPro to be as balanced as possible with as little impact on performance as possible. Users may or may not notice effects on their devices, which may be temporary.
Depending on the device battery status and the task VisionPro is handling, some examples of these effects may include longer application launch times, lower frame rates, lower wireless data throughput, dimmed screens, or reduced speaker volume.
Tweaking device performance to compensate for battery aging is nothing new for Apple. Back in 2017, the iPhone maker was caught slowing down the performance of older iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
The problem, however, is that the company failed to inform users about this and therefore had to face legal consequences. The dispute, commonly known as "Battery Gate," has resulted in a large number of lawsuits and financial compensation will begin in January 2024.