3D is making a comeback, led by Apple. The company has now confirmed that movies purchased in the Apple TV app will be upgraded to 3D free of charge, when available.

Apple is already upgrading your purchased HD movies to 4K, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos free of charge, so our gut feeling was that the same would apply to 3D.

Last week, Apple announced that over 150 movies will be available in 3D from the Apple TV app when the Apple Vision Pro launches in early February in the US. This week, the company explicitly confirmed that movies will be upgraded automatically to 3D at no additional cost.

- "Users can access 3D versions of eligible movies when they become available to rent or purchase from the Apple TV app, and users who own or purchase movies with a 3D edition will be able to access that version on Apple Vision Pro at no additional cost," said Apple.


Great news for 3D fans
This is great news considering that you pay extra for 3D movies elsewhere. If you already have a large library of purchased movies with Apple, you could potentially have 100s of 3D movies available to you within a few years.

One of the few movie services selling 3D movies today is Vudu, which offers them as separate purchases. For instance, the 3D versions of The Super Mario Bros Movie and Gravity are priced at $15 each. At this time, Vudu offers a selection of 107 3D movies in HD resolution. A 3D HD Blu-ray is typically sold in a bundle with the 2D version, while the UHD Blu-ray specification does not support 3D.

Apple will offer over 150 3D movies at launch, with more to come. Launch titles include Avatar: The Way of Water, Dune, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.


 Dune will be amongst the 3D movies available on Apple Vision Pro. Photo: Apple

High Frame Rate 3D?
Disney+ has confirmed that it will offer select 3D movies in High Frame Rate (HFR), presumably 48fps, with 4K Dolby Vision through the Disney+ app for Apple Vision Pro.

While Apple has not commented on the technical details, we know that it will be using the same delivery format (MV-HEVC) for 3D as Disney+, so we think it is likely that Apple too will offer 3D HFR. We are trying to get confirmation.

 Also read: HFR – The one UHD technology you rarely hear about
 Also read: Apple Vision Pro: Micro-OLEDs with 3800x3000 pixels & 90/96Hz – a paradigm shift

Apple did, however, confirm that 3D movies, like 2D movies, will be available in Spatial Audio with AirPods, including Dolby Atmos.

One key question about Apple's plans for 3D movies remains unanswered: Will the 3D movies be available on other platforms, such as through the Apple TV 4K box for 3D TVs and 3D projectors? The company has, so far, only commented on 3D support for Apple Vision Pro, so we are not ruling out anything yet.

The $3500 Apple Vision Pro, available in the US starting February 2, can be plugged into a power outlet, but if you are using the battery pack, you may have to pause the movie from time to time to recharge. The company said that the battery pack delivers only up to 2.5 hours of video playback on a full charge.


 Apple Vision Pro lets you watch movies in your own space or "environments". Video: Apple