visionOS 26 Beta 3 Unveiled: Top New Features for Apple Vision Pro Users

Apple just dropped the third beta of visionOS 26 for Apple Vision Pro, and it’s packed with updates that make this spatial computer even more immersive and user-friendly. As someone who’s been following the Vision Pro’s journey, I’m excited to break down the key features in this latest release. Whether you’re a developer testing the beta or just curious about what’s coming, here’s a quick look at what visionOS 26 Beta 3 brings to the table.

Enhanced Personas: Your Digital Avatar Gets a Glow-Up

One of the standout upgrades is the revamped Personas feature, which is no longer in beta. Apple has fine-tuned these digital avatars to look more lifelike, with sharper details in hair, eyelashes, and skin tones. The result? A more expressive and realistic version of you during FaceTime calls or virtual meetings. It’s a small but meaningful step toward making virtual interactions feel more human.

Spatial Widgets: Personalize Your World

Imagine pinning your favorite apps—like Photos, Clock, or Weather—right onto your living room wall. With visionOS 26 Beta 3, spatial widgets let you do just that. These widgets stay where you place them, even after you power down your Vision Pro. Plus, you can customize their look with different frames, colors, and sizes, blending them seamlessly into your space. It’s a fun way to make your digital environment feel uniquely yours.

Spatial Scenes: Your Photos Come to Life

Thanks to a combo of generative AI and advanced depth tech, the Spatial Scenes feature transforms your 2D photos into stunning 3D experiences. Whether you’re reliving a family vacation or flipping through old memories in the Photos app, these images now pop with depth, making them feel like windows into the moment. It’s one of those features that’s hard to appreciate until you see it in action.

Immersive Browsing with Safari

Safari gets a major upgrade with Spatial Browsing. This feature lets you dive into articles by hiding distractions and even turning photos in news stories into 3D scenes. It also supports native playback of 180- and 360-degree videos, perfect for immersive content like sports highlights or travel documentaries. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re inside the web, this is a game-changer.
Shared Spatial Experiences: Connect Like Never Before

For those lucky enough to have two Vision Pro headsets in the same room, shared spatial experiences open up new ways to connect. You can watch a 3D movie, play games, or collaborate on work projects in a shared digital space. It’s like having a virtual hangout that feels as real as sitting on the couch together.

Why This Matters

The visionOS 26 Beta 3 release shows Apple’s commitment to making the Vision Pro more than just a pricey gadget. These features—announced at WWDC 2025—are polishing the spatial computing experience, making it more intuitive and social. While the $3,500 price tag is still a hurdle, updates like these hint at a future where Vision Pro could become a must-have for tech enthusiasts.

As Apple gears up for a public beta and a full release this fall, I’ll be keeping an eye on how these features evolve. For now, developers can dive into this beta to test the new tools, and I’m betting we’ll hear more about bug fixes and tweaks soon. What do you think about these updates? 

Are you tempted to try Vision Pro yet? Let me know in the comments!