The Apple Vision Pro headset currently has limited usability, primarily featuring games and immersive content that may not justify its high price tag of $3,500. However, this situation might improve with the upcoming visionOS 26 update. According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple is expected to introduce support for spatial controllers in this next visionOS iteration. At present, the Vision Pro does support game controllers associated with consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, but its use is restricted to Apple Arcade games.

This limitation means that many gamers, especially those who do not subscribe to Apple One or do not find enough games on Apple Arcade, feel constrained in their options. The report suggests that the visionOS 26 update will enhance the user experience by notifying users when they download games that require specific controllers, such as the PlayStation VR2’s hand controllers. This development could significantly broaden the gaming potential for Vision Pro, increasing its appeal, especially as its current sales have not met Apple’s expectations. Nevertheless, the high cost still prompts questions about whether expanded controller support can justify such a substantial investment in the headset.

Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that Apple appears to have partnered with Sony towards the end of 2024, intending to enhance support for the VR2’s hand controllers. The company is actively reaching out to third-party developers to encourage integration within their games. In terms of timeline, the transition from visionOS 1.0 to 26 represents a substantial shift, as Apple is adopting a new naming convention that utilizes the year for its software updates. Anticipation is building for WWDC 2025 on June 9th, where Apple is expected to reveal more details about its software updates, including any significant improvements for visionOS.