Dbrand has announced a unique (disturbing? unsettling?) way to protect the Apple Vision Pro that completely negates the sleek aesthetics of the headset’s curved laminated glass display. Its new Aperture faceplate, which was originally conceived by a former AR designer at Snap, features a trypophobia-inducing pattern of seemingly random holes that are actually all strategically positioned so as not to block any of the AVP’s cameras or sensors. If you happen to walk into a wall during a fully immersive experience, it provides an extra layer of protection for your $3,499 headset.
The Dbrand Aperture Vision Pro Face Cover is available now on its own for $49, or as part of a $69 bundle that includes a matching holster allowing the Vision Pro’s battery to be clipped to a garment instead of having it weighing down a pocket.
The original idea for the Aperture faceplate came from Kyle Goodrich who designed and 3D-printed a cover for his Vision Pro in February 2024. After a positive response to Goodrich’s thoughts on making “a small run of these if theres enough demand,” Dbrand offered to collaborate and manufacture it for him.
Instead of being 3D-printed, Dbrand’s Aperture face cover is made from a “single-shot injection of high-durometer polyurethane.” It snaps onto the front of the Vision Pro and — in addition to the holes on the front — features cutouts around the edges for the headset’s speakers, digital crown, and air vents. Most of the Vision Pro’s features, including hand-tracking, immersive AR environments, and even capturing 3D Spatial photos and videos, are still available with the face cover in use.
There’s one feature the Aperture does inhibit: EyeSight. Parts of the Vision Pro’s low-res OLED screen used to display a user’s eyes to the outside world will be obscured by the cover. But that could actually be considered a plus. In our review of the Apple Vision Pro we found EyeSight to be disappointing. The OLED display was too dim and often obscured by reflections on the glass. Besides, people will be too distracted by what looks like a Crocs clog hanging off your face to notice your simulated eyes.
For Vision Pro users who forgot they were tethered to a battery and accidentally yanked it onto the floor while moving around, the Aperture’s matching holster is potentially a more useful accessory. You can use its clip to securely attach it to a belt, and should it still take a tumble, it will (mostly) be protected from scratches and dents.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
