Vision Pro: Pricey Failure? 🤯 Future Shock! 📉

Tech & Science

With the recent releases of visionOS 26 and updated Vision Pro hardware, it’s now an appropriate time to revisit Apple’s Vision Pro headset – a device I found both remarkable and frustrating when it debuted in early 2024. Despite my initial impressions, I’ve come to believe the Vision Pro is increasingly struggling to maintain momentum. Content remains sparse, developer support is limited, and while Apple has implemented some improvements, these efforts haven’t proven sufficient, leading me to worry that it may be too late.

When I initially received the Vision Pro, I put it through extensive testing. I used it to watch movies on airplanes and in hotel rooms, experimented with placing application windows around my home, and explored the device’s unusual new workflows. I thoroughly tested the range of available games and educational apps, and I consumed as many immersive videos as possible. I even attempted to develop my own applications for it.

However, as the months progressed, I found myself using the Vision Pro less frequently. The initial novelty faded, and practicality ultimately outweighed coolness. By the time Apple sent me the newer model a couple of weeks ago, I had only used the original device a handful of times in the preceding two months. I had largely stopped using it at home, though I occasionally took it on trips as an entertainment option for hotel rooms. This experience is echoed by many Vision Pro owners within the device’s dedicated subreddit, highlighting a common trend among its user base.

People frequently remark, “This is really cool, but it requires a significant amount of extra effort to integrate into my daily routine.” The situation resembles a classic chicken-and-egg problem – robust developer and content creator support would have streamlined the process from the outset. Following several weeks of daily use with the new Vision Pro hardware, it’s evident that the platform necessitates a more fundamental reassessment. As a dedicated user, I’m concerned that this broader rethink may not materialize, given the persistent rumors suggesting Apple is prioritizing smart glasses as its future focus – a completely distinct product category. Several key changes are present in the new model. Notably, users can now purchase a separate accessory—albeit at a considerable expense—designed for the older model: the Dual Knit Band. This headband is engineered to better balance the device’s weight on the user’s head, improving comfort during extended wear sessions. The band itself incorporates an ingeniously simple adjustment knob, allowing users to tighten or loosen either of the two straps: one that wraps across the back of the head (similar to the original band) and the other that encircles the top of the head. The fit is adjusted with this knob. Users can turn it to loosen or tighten one strap, then pull it out and turn it again to adjust the other. Credit: Samuel Axon

While I experienced no discomfort with the original Vision Pro, numerous individuals reported unbearable pressure on their foreheads. This new band addresses that specific issue. The redesigned Vision Pro incorporates Apple’s M5 chip, a significant upgrade from the initial model’s M2 chip – which was already somewhat dated at launch. This new processor delivers substantially faster performance, particularly for graphics processing and machine learning tasks. Readers seeking further details on the M5 will find extensive coverage in our previous articles examining its applications across other Apple products. Functionally, the M5 results in several minor speed improvements, such as quicker application launches and enhanced Persona avatar generation. I can honestly say I didn’t observe a difference that materially altered the user experience. Although I recognized the processor was faster in certain instances, the improvements weren’t substantial enough to sway opinions about the device. The most noticeable gains are apparent in games – both native mixed-reality Vision Pro titles and iPad versions of graphically intensive games that can be displayed on the device’s virtual screen. Demanding 3D games appear and run more smoothly, and the M5 supports recent graphics advancements like ray tracing and mesh shading, although support for these features remains limited, even within iPad versions.

The new chip significantly reduces the barrier to entry for potential buyers, eliminating any hesitation. The primary benefit of the updated processor is improved efficiency, which has resulted in a modest but noticeable increase in battery life. During my initial flight with the M2 Vision Pro, I attempted to watch *Dune* (2021), managing to view the entire film just before the closing credits, as the battery depleted. While *Dune* is a lengthy film, this experience highlighted the limitations of the original model. Now, the new headset easily provides an additional 30 to 60 minutes of playback, depending on usage, effectively allowing users to watch virtually any movie. Considering the original’s short battery life, this improvement represents a substantial gain. In addition to this enhanced battery performance, the M2 Vision Pro also boasts a marginally increased field of view (approximately 10 percent) and a new 120 Hz maximum refresh rate for passthrough. These features are considered welcome additions, though they aren’t fundamentally transformative. Despite the excellent hardware – which, admittedly, may be excessive for many users – the true appeal of the Vision Pro is driven by its software. Notably, the initial launch’s success hinged on a consistent stream of high-quality content, alongside robust support from third-party developers. As previously noted, the content release schedule during the first year of the Vision Pro’s availability was a significant disappointment, lacking the expected weekly episodes of Apple’s Immersive Videos within the TV app.

The initial rollout of short videos for the Vision Pro was hampered by gaps of several months, and Apple seemed hesitant to make a wealth of immersive content—available outside its own ecosystem—easily accessible to users. While third-party apps attempted to fill this gap, they consistently lagged behind offerings on other platforms. However, the frequency of first-party content increased significantly after the first year, coinciding with the introduction of the Spatial Gallery. This built-in app functions similarly to a horizontally-scrolling TikTok, allowing users to browse short-form 3D photos and videos that highlight the device’s unique capabilities. Credit: Samuel Axon.

The content within the TV app and the Spatial Gallery is consistently praised for its high quality and professional production, often leveraging the Vision Pro’s hardware capabilities. Notably, there’s an autobiographical film focusing on U2’s Bono that incorporates inventive spatial video techniques, a format that hadn't previously been conceived of. Despite Bono’s polarizing image, the film is considered worthwhile for its exploration of the potential of spatial video production. Although the content still doesn’t offer hours of continuous entertainment, it has markedly improved and provides a sufficient selection.

Putting on the headset a few times each week has proven worthwhile. This wasn’t the case a year ago. The situation with software support mirrors this: app support remains largely frozen as of 2024. Many of my go-to applications—essential to my daily productivity—include Firefox, Spark, Todoist, Obsidian, Raycast, Slack, 1Password, and Claude. As a primarily macOS user, I don’t typically utilize Apple’s built-in applications, such as Safari, Mail, Reminders, Passwords, or Notes, nor do I rely on Spotlight. While this approach is somewhat atypical, it has never presented a problem on macOS, nor on iOS for several years. Remarkably, almost all of these applications are now available on visionOS, primarily because they can run as flat, virtual windows on iPad. Specifically, Firefox, Spark, Todoist, Obsidian, Raycast, Slack, 1Password, and Claude are accessible as supported iPad apps. Interestingly, Claude isn’t currently supported, despite the availability of a Claude app for iPads—though ChatGPT’s iPad app functions. Visual Studio Code isn’t yet available, which aligns with my expectations. Furthermore, visionOS now supports three distinct monitor sizes: the standard widescreen aspect ratio, a wider format resembling a standard ultra-wide monitor, and a large, ultra-ultra-wide wrap-around display designed to accommodate substantial desktop space—a solution that looks impressive. Finally, the system now includes support for seamless audio switching between the two devices.

Mac audio now automatically streams to the Vision Pro or its Bluetooth headphones, a feature that extends to both the new Vision Pro and the M2 model. The key advancement, addressing a previous complaint, is the ability to achieve higher refresh rates for the virtual monitor, reaching “up to 120 Hz” – though a precise measurement tool remains unavailable. Nevertheless, I’m pleased to see this improvement. This functionality is the standard width for the Mac monitor feature. Through a series of updates, Apple has transformed a promising proof-of-concept into a genuinely valuable tool, particularly for travelers like myself, or those who prefer not to invest in external display hardware. Users can also play Mac games on this monitor; I tested No Man’s Sky and Cyberpunk 2077 with a controller, and the experience was fantastic. Alongside spatial video and movie watching, this represents the Vision Pro’s current key differentiator and a significant area of focus for Apple’s ongoing platform enhancements. Notably, Personas have been dramatically improved through software updates. My Persona now accurately resembles me, and its movements are far more natural. During a FaceTime demonstration with Apple representatives, I observed how Personas float and emote around each other, and how we could jointly view files and assets. The demonstration was undeniably impressive, representing a considerable advancement over previous iterations.

The inclusion of the sensors, thanks to the improved Personas, has proven to be a significant drawback for this headset. In my opinion, removing EyeSight would represent the single most beneficial change Apple could make. While many users find the feature unappealing and unnecessary, its presence undeniably adds a substantial amount to both the product's price and its weight—the two primary obstacles to widespread adoption. Similarly, the Personas themselves offer a novel and engaging experience, particularly during FaceTime calls, allowing users to observe interactions in a unique way. However, this remains a purely experimental feature, and users quickly lose interest once the initial novelty wears off; I cannot envision anyone preferring to appear as a Persona during a call rather than simply removing the headset after 30 minutes to connect via computer. Much of the Vision Pro’s design seems predicated on the idea of connecting users with others, yet this prioritization is ultimately misguided. Mixed reality inherently fosters isolation, and Apple’s attempt to address this issue feels misaligned with the product’s core appeal. Crucially, the Vision Pro lacks support for any application that would utilize augmented reality in public spaces—a fundamental requirement for many potential AR uses. The metaverse already exists—embodied in platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat—and this headset fails to capitalize on that reality.

Fortnite’s success demonstrates that innovation doesn’t require a fundamentally new approach; the core concept is already established. Like the iPad and Apple Watch before it, the Vision Pro needs to focus on its unique strengths rather than attempting to be a general-purpose device, a strategy that would ultimately deliver a better user experience and lead to a lighter, more affordable product. However, recent leaks and insider reports suggest Apple may not be pursuing this path. Ming-Chi Kuo, a generally reliable industry analyst, indicated that the M5 Vision Pro was the first of four planned releases, with subsequent plans including a full Vision Pro 2 release featuring a redesign, and a Vision Air – a cheaper, lighter alternative. Kuo’s projections also anticipated true smart glasses many years in the future. Despite these plans, a *Bloomberg* report in October revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook had directed the company to shift resources away from future passthrough HMD products and accelerate development on smart glasses. It’s important to acknowledge that devices like the Vision Pro will likely remain occasional, rather than daily, use for most consumers; a price point of $1,000 would be more acceptable, but at $3,500, it remains unaffordable for many. Removing the hardware associated with Personas and EyeSight could potentially address this cost issue.

It remains to be seen whether Apple will continue to invest in the Vision Pro. However, it’s increasingly clear that the company needs to reassess its priorities, and I sincerely hope they avoid drastic measures that could jeopardize the entire platform’s development.