Code references point to Apple Vision Pro displays supporting 100Hz refresh rate
David Joseppi
Posted On 12/10/2023 
Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro mixed-reality headset may support 100Hz refresh rates, according to code references found in the latest developer beta seed of the visionOS operating system, which points to the device maxing out with a 100Hz refresh rate that only activates to “compensate for detected 50Hz flicker from artificial lighting.”
In July, when Apple officially unveiled its soon to be released mixed-reality headset, the iPhone maker had said that the device’s displays could refresh at 90Hz, with the potential to automatically increase to 96Hz when viewing 24fps content.
Code shared by M1 Astra on X, formally Twitter, shows lines by Apple that note that the Vision Pro display has been “fine-tuned to 100Hz to counteract the 50Hz flicker caused by artificial lighting,” particularly focusing on European electrical systems running at 50Hz. This adjustment serves to mitigate the flickering effects that may arise when recording with a camera frame rate that doesn’t align, for instance, when capturing scenes illuminated by 50Hz lights using a 60Hz camera.
Apple Vision Pro refresh rate revealed according to visionOS beta 4. There seems to be refresh rate modes, 100Hz, 96Hz, and 90Hz. "Adjusted to 100Hz to compensate for detected 50Hz flicker from artifical lighting." "Travel mode requires 90Hz at all times."
More in the images. pic.twitter.com/KatDpjxIha— M1 (@M1Astra) October 4, 2023
Furthermore, additional references include “Passthrough_50Hz_Flicker_Detected,” “Exclude_Fan_Blur,” “Low_Light_Detected,” and “Travel mode requires 90Hz at all times.”
Apple’s new Vision Pro mixed-reality headset blends digital content with the physical world through a fully three-dimensional user interface controlled by a user’s eyes, hands, and voice.
Built on the foundation of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, visionOS is a new operating system that delivers spatial experiences for the Apple Vision Pro headset. visionOS features a new three-dimensional interface that makes digital content look and feel present in a user’s physical world.
