Apple Vision Pro finally catches up to Meta Quest with live NBA games

Vision Pro is just entering the court with live NBA, while Meta Quest is already dunking.

By Shikhar Mehrotra Published October 10, 2025

Apple Vision Pro — Digital Trends

What’s happened? If you’re a proud Vision Pro owner, Apple has just announced an update that could make you spend more time with it — the arrival of live NBA games.

That’s right. Apple will stream select Los Angeles Lakers games live on the Vision Pro starting early 2026 via the NBA and the Spectrum SportsNet app (on visionOS 26 or later); the schedule should be out by the end of the year (via TechRadar).
The tech giant will package these games for its mixed reality headset using the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive cameras.
They’ll be placed courtside and under each basket to provide unique and immersive perspectives, allowing viewers to feel as if they’re right in the middle of the game.

Why is this important? Meta Quest, the Vision Pro’s closest rival, has already streamed multiple live NBA games via the Xtadium and NBA Arena app. Most recently, the XR app for Quest also started offering an immersive live coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States. However, Apple Vision Pro, which costs much more, is just catching up.

This is the first time that a live sports event will be packaged and delivered in the Apple Immersive video format for the Vision Pro. Previously, only concerts and short films were available in the format.
This is a crucial development for the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, addressing the scarcity of content — a key issue in justifying the ultra-premium price tag and tapping into a massive NBA fanbase.

Recommended Videos

Why should I care? If you’re an NBA fan, and more importantly, a Lakers fan, and you happen to have the Vision Pro lying around somewhere in your closet, this could be a good chance to make the headset pay for itself. The arrival of NBA games could mark the beginning of a broader trend of immersive live sports on the Vision Pro (you might not have to sell your headset after all).

OK, what’s next? The arrival of the more affordable Vision Pro (it has been on the cards for quite a while) could make live sports even more successful for Apple. However, for now, Vision Pro users can look upon the announcement (and wait for the schedule) as a silver lining.

Shikhar Mehrotra

News Writer

For more than five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in the field of consumer tech and presented them…

Topics

Wearables

Apple Watch SE Gets Major Price Cut to $159.99

Apple’s affordable smartwatch just became an even better value.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is one of the best all-around smartwatches for iPhone users, and it’s now even more appealing. Amazon has dropped the price to $159.99, down from $249.00, giving you a 36% discount on Apple’s most budget-friendly smartwatch. Whether you’re tracking fitness goals, monitoring heart rate, or just staying connected on the go, this deal makes the SE a no-brainer for anyone wanting Apple Watch features at a fraction of the usual cost.

This model might not have all the high-end sensors of the Series 9 or Ultra, but it delivers the same polished Apple experience in a sleek, durable design that fits everyday life perfectly.

Wearables

This is the smart glasses design I’ve been waiting for, Meta needs to take note

Even Realities has introduced its second-gen smart glasses, and I'm smitten

A hand reaching for a pair of Even Realities G2 smart glasses

There's a new set of smart glasses on the market, and the second generation pair from Even Realities have caught my attention, potentially turning me from a smart specs-skeptic to a glasses groupie.

Unlike the well-known Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, the new Even G2 don't feature a camera or speakers.

Wearables

Your Apple Watch could face a new US import ban over $634m fight

A fresh trade inquiry and a huge jury verdict put Apple’s blood oxygen feature, and future Watch models, back in the legal firing line.

Apple Watch Series 11 activity rings.

What’s happened? The US International Trade Commission has opened a new review that could again block imports of updated Apple Watch models into the country. On the same day, a California jury ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million over blood oxygen tech in the watch.

Reuters reports the ITC will examine whether Apple’s redesigned blood oxygen feature still infringes Masimo patents and aims to finish within six months.