Apple introduced the latest update, iOS 17.2, today, bringing a notable enhancement for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users— the ability to record spatial videos. This innovative feature empowers users to capture moments in three dimensions, immersing themselves in memories through Apple Vision Pro, the anticipated mixed-reality headset.
To achieve three-dimensional video recording, the iPhone utilizes both its main and ultrawide cameras simultaneously. The resulting content is consolidated into a single file stored in a newly created album within the Photos app, aptly named “Spatial.” These spatial videos will seamlessly sync across devices through iCloud and the videos are captured at a resolution of 1080p and a frame rate of 30 frames per second.
Enabling spatial video recording is straightforward; users can activate it in Settings by toggling on “Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro” within the Camera section under Formats. For optimal results, Apple recommends holding the iPhone in landscape orientation during recording.
While spatial videos can be viewed on various iPhones and other devices, they will appear as regular 2D videos. This democratizes access to the content, ensuring compatibility across a broad range of Apple devices.
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, expressed the significance of this feature, describing the recorded videos as “magical”, stating that they “set a new bar for what’s possible.” While these statements carry a marketing tone, they emphasize Apple’s commitment to innovation and aim to position the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max as leaders in smartphone cameras.
Joswiak also highlighted the prowess of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max camera systems, labeling them as the most powerful ever developed and emphasizing the superior video quality. The introduction of spatial video recording adds another layer to Apple’s narrative, setting the stage for the upcoming AR/VR headset scheduled to launch next year.