I Built a $5 Apple Vision Pro [video]

I can't help buy think the Vision Pro should have been based on an iPhone instead of the Mac.

The latest Pro model iPhone weighs only about 22% of the Vision Pro + battery pack. The Vision Pro battery alone weighs more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max (with it's integrated battery).

Certainly, by putting the phone components in a larger enclosure, the thermals could be better managed over a phone being being used directly. Not to mention the thermal improvements that have been made it more recent iPhones.

With how locked down the Vision Pro is, it felt more akin to the iPhone or iPad anyway, so trying to classify it as a PC replacement always felt off.

I have a Vision Pro (M2 original). At no point have I ever compared it to a Mac or MacOS. The experience is decidedly iPad/iPadOS like.

Did I miss something?

EDIT: You likely mean going with the M series instead of the A series. Got it.

Heck yea. I love these types of projects. I feel like when AI gets good enough to have full command of the hardware design workflow we're going to have another "reverse engineer anything" renaissance but with popular hardware products.

These kinds of projects bring me joy. Well done