With iOS 17.2, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can now record spatial videos — a groundbreaking new capability that helps users capture life’s precious moments — and relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro, starting early next year.

“iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature the most powerful camera systems we’ve ever developed, including the best video quality in any smartphone,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “And now, we’re setting a new bar for what’s possible, enabling users to record special moments just as they happened. Spatial videos are magical, and we can’t wait for users to experience them on Apple Vision Pro early next year.”

Enable Spatial Video Capture on iPhone

Once spatial video capture is enabled in Settings, users can leverage the advanced camera systems on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture their favorite moments in three dimensions. Spatial videos are captured in 1080p at 30 frames per second in standard dynamic range. With advanced computational videography techniques and HEVC compression, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max deliver stunning spatial memories in a compact file size.

Spatial videos are captured using the Main and Ultra-Wide cameras on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max while in landscape orientation.

Capturing Great Spatial Videos

Capturing spatial videos on iPhone is as easy as capturing regular videos on iPhone: With the Camera app open in Video mode, rotate iPhone to landscape orientation, tap the spatial video icon, and then tap record. iPhone starts recording video from both the advanced Main and Ultra-Wide cameras, and scales the field of view from the Ultra-Wide camera to match that of the Main camera, which is then saved into a single video file.

Viewing Spatial Videos

On iPhone and other devices, spatial videos appear as regular, 2D videos and can be watched or shared just like any other video using apps like Messages. Users can find all of the spatial videos they capture within a new Spatial album in the Photos app, and all of their spatial videos will sync across their devices with iCloud.

Spatial videos come to life on Apple Vision Pro. With iCloud, users will be able to access their entire library in the Photos app and view their videos at life-size scale with brilliant color and spectacular detail. On Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos can be played back in a window or expanded into an immersive view that transports users back to each moment in time, like a celebration with friends or a special family gathering.

Spatial video capture on iPhone arrives ahead of the debut of Apple Vision Pro, so iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can begin capturing moments with family and friends to enjoy on Apple Vision Pro from day one.

Apple Files for 'Spatial Capture' Trademark

Last week Apple filed for the 'Spatial Capture' trademark under two U.S. applications (98303857 and 98303798)covering two International Classes as follows:

Class 009: "Computer hardware for recording, processing, editing, and displaying photos, images, video, and other multimedia content; wearable peripherals for use with computers; cameras; camera software; application development software; multimedia development software; computer software for use in developing other software applications; software for recording, editing, processing and displaying photos, images, video, and other multimedia content; software for use in enabling computers and mobile devices to provide virtual reality and augmented reality experiences."

Class 042: "Providing non-downloadable software used in developing other software applications; providing non-downloadable software for recording, processing, editing and displaying of photos, images, audio visual content, and other multimedia content; providing non-downloadable software for use in enabling computers, mobile devices, and mobile telephones to provide virtual reality and augmented reality experiences; design and development of computer software; computer software consulting services; support services in the nature of consultation services for developing software applications; providing computer software information online."

Apple also filed for 'Spatial Capture' in Hong Kong under application #306422085. Apple filed it under the same International Classes 009 and 042 but with 5-10 times the verbiage, far too long for this report.

In June Apple filed for 'Spatial Memories followed by a trademark filing in August for both 'Spatial Video' and 'Spatial Photos.'