Apps can set custom proportions when reducing immersion. Understand how wide portals affect composition, multitasking, and continuity of the XR experience.
Direct answer
visionOS 27 allows Apple Immersive Video applications to set a custom aspect ratio for the portal displayed when the experience exits fully immersive mode. Apple exposes the control in AVKit and RealityKit, preventing the 16:9 standard from cutting out important content from panoramic scenes. The feature improves continuity and multitasking, but requires specific editorial direction for immersive and scaled-down states.
Reducing immersion doesn’t have to cut the narrative
A wide portal can preserve peripheral action, stage, sport or landscape when the person opens another window. The composition must maintain focus without relying on full head rotation.
Each state needs framing
Full plan, portal and transition have different scales. Test captions, critical elements, horizon, and movement so that no essential information disappears or becomes too small.
Multitasking changes attention
When leaving total immersion, the content competes with windows and the physical environment. Audio, pacing, and interaction must tolerate interruption without forcing the user to return immediately.
Custom ratio requires limits
Extreme portals can reduce legibility, occupy excessive visual field or increase composition costs. Define proportions by content and validate comfort in real sessions.
Nexus Reading
The portal transforms immersive video into a continuous, non-binary experience. Brands, training and entertainment must design a coherent progression between observing, diving and resuming other tasks.
FAQ
Does portal replace immersive mode?
No. It is a reduced state to keep content visible outside of full immersion.
Does the aspect ratio need to be 16:9?
In visionOS 27, supported applications can set a custom aspect ratio in the specified APIs.
What to validate editorially?
Main action, cuts, readability, audio, comfort and continuity during transitions.
Essential guides to delve deeper into the decision
This editorial analysis was produced by Nexus from the official sources below, consulted on October 6, 2026. The text is original and interprets practical implications for companies.
- Apple Developer — What's New in Apple Immersive Video: portal with personalized proportion, APIs and context of use.
- Apple Developer — What's New in visionOS 27: official overview of space and media capabilities.
Date reported by main source: visionOS 27 released on September 14, 2026; analysis published on October 6, 2026.