Apple Vision Pro Battery Pack Power Cable is Removable

[spazzcat]

So Lightning lives on in a hidden, cursed form!

I noticed that hole in MKBHD’s video and wondered if that hole was a pin release. Wish they would just stop it with the proprietary connectors, though.

I get needing a lock on the headset, seems like you could design a mechanism to lock USB-C! Like an indent on the cable. Maybe they didn’t want people plugging it straight into the wall, because maybe the battery has some other voltage regulation hardware? Only a matter of time before the EU gets pissed, which works out for Apple because then everyone will need new battery packs.

They should have made this a generic USB-C battery pack, and increased production. Then non visionOS users would buy it too

I suspect that bit about not plugging it into the wall is the main reason. Or into a computer.

I suspect it's more than just a battery pack and most likely manages all the power for the headset.

 

[coolfactor]

Which is why Apple calling it a "woven USB-C cable" is so funny

And I don't think it is to reduce cost. I think Apple wanted a strong locking mechanism on both sides and USB-C wasn't good enough.

USB = "Universal Serial Bus" = cable, not the connector.

It's likely a USB cable, but with these proprietary connectors, and as another said, it's probably for a good reason of super-efficient power management to get the most out of the battery.

 

[DavidSchaub]

I suspect it's more than just a battery pack and most likely manages all the power for the headset.

I would be shocked if it is anything other than a battery logic and USB-PD device.


The cable might support USB data though. Time will tell.

 

[Mimiron]

in before anker starts selling juice packs for $500

 

[Antoniosmalakia]

The Lightning connector is much more durable than the USB-C connector, which over time becomes lose and makes a bad connection.

Hard to know if it’s the cables or the actual ports. Sometimes a cable on my old MacBook Pro would click and sometimes it wouldn’t. 🤷

All I know is that my TimeMachine drive disconnected too many times on its own!

Makes me very wary of upgrading to an iPhone 15.

 

[DavidSchaub]

USB = "Universal Serial Bus" = cable, not the connector.

It's likely a USB cable, but with these proprietary connectors, and as another said, it's probably for a good reason of super-efficient power management to get the most out of the battery.

Exactly, and "USB-C" is short for "USB Type C" and is the port, not the cable or the protocol.

 

[spazzcat]

I would be shocked if it is anything other than a battery logic and USB-PD device.


The cable might support USB data though. Time will tell.

There is a reason you can't just plug the headset into the power and need to go through the battery. They could have made a long cable that could plug in.

 

[AppleDumplings]

For pass through power, shouldn’t the usb-c port be on the opposite side of the “fixed” cable? Just thinking from an ergonomics pov.

Then you wouldn’t be able to easily keep it in your pocket when standing and charging.

 

[andrewxgx]

Does this theoretically mean someone could make an adapter or bigger third party battery it can be attached too?

there are like 4 pins for actual energy transfer and 20 pins for making sure this is an original apple battery pack

 

[DavidSchaub]

There is a reason you can't just plug the headset into the power and need to go through the battery. They could have made a long cable that could plug in.

Yes, but the reason might be: Apple didn't feel like it.

 

[bigboy29]

"Insert sharp pointy metal object into the battery housing to unlock."
Got it.

 

[andrewxgx]

It says so on the product page:

View attachment 2343647

of course they could use just one USB-C port for charge and discharge, but they had to use two to make sure battery pack is proprietary
at which point fanboys realize the company that favored good product design is simply gone?

 

[4nNtt]

Lots of pins. I bet that can carry data back to the USB-C port in the battery. Maybe allow accessories.

 

[DavidSchaub]

of course they could use just one USB-C port for charge and discharge, but they had to use two to make sure battery pack is proprietary
at which point fanboys realize the company that favored good product design is simply gone?

USB-C is simply not secure enough for a VR headset that will turn off instantly if power is removed.

 

[klasma]

It's likely a USB cable, but with these proprietary connectors, and as another said, it's probably for a good reason of super-efficient power management to get the most out of the battery.

It has 12 pins per side, exactly like USB-C. So it’s likely simply a lightning-style connector for USB-C, and can probably pass-through to the external USB-C port.

 

[4nNtt]

of course they could use just one USB-C port for charge and discharge, but they had to use two to make sure battery pack is proprietary
at which point fanboys realize the company that favored good product design is simply gone?

Replaceable cables is a good design. You definitely want this locking so it doesn’t fall out. USB-C can’t do that.

 

[AppleDumplings]

Lots of pins. I bet that can carry data back to the USB-C port in the battery. Maybe allow accessories.

Similar to the iMac’s power brick having an Ethernet port.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Clever design really.

 

[TigerNike23]

Lightning++ cable. Then it’ll go to USB-C in a few years.

Yeah I wonder how long until our friends in Brussels mandate it.

 

[AlastorKatriona]

I'm guessing that the design considerations were:
1. They don't want a completely fixed cable so that the items can be repaired/replaced separately.
2. They don't want an easily detachable cable so that it's not coming unplugged during use.

Still it seems like a weird design. Here is this external battery pack that really has no design limitations or constraints dictating its design, it just has to fit in your pocket and connect with a cable...and they end up inventing an entirely new connector just for this? So odd. Seems like they don't want this battery pack being used for any other purpose, which some crazies would absolutely do if the thing had a USB-C port.

 

[klasma]

I doubt USB-C would work. So many pins means it is likely doing more then just USB-C. Replaceable cables is a good design.

It has exactly as many pins as USB-C.

 

[andrewxgx]

I had the exact OPPOSITE problem! I was a huge Lightning fan, but after 3 failed Lightning connectors on iPhones, I'm happy to see it retired. Even my current iPhone 13 Pro won't make a Lightning connection for charging, just months after getting it, and i'm still paying off the darn thing! Only charge via Qi now.

Lightning was a failure in the end.

I haven't had a single problem with any of my USB-C devices.

all my USB-C ports on intel macbooks started to get wobbly after 2-3 years of use, to the point the drives would disconnect when you moved either the drive or the macbook
they went just a little bit too small with the design. something between USB-A and USB-C in size would probably be way more reliable.
lightning has its physical limitations, but only issue with reliability was that the port got dirty with the dust from my jeans. needed to remove stuck debris from the port with a paperclip or SIM card key every couple months and it was back to working as new.

 

[4nNtt]

Similar to the iMac’s power brick having an Ethernet port.

An Ethernet connection would be awesome for game streaming. Will definitely be trying to attack a dock on Friday.

 

[klasma]

...and they end up inventing an entirely new connector just for this?

This may have been their plan for a USB-C compatible lightning connector for iPhone/iPad, before the EU mandated USB-C connectors for charging.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

My guess is that the Vision Pro requires multiple voltages (the displays separate from the camera systems separate from the M2) and all of the power circuitry is part of the battery pack and those pins are the different voltage rails.

That reads like a great, logical guess.