It has been almost two weeks since the launch of Apple's Vision Pro on February 2, and many early reviews of it have started to come out. Initial reactions to Apple's long-awaited new product line appear mixed, with many reviews pointing out its impressive hardware capabilities and unique spatial computing features. However, it's also widely acknowledged as a flawed product, primarily due to its selling price, battery life, overall comfort, and lack of content.
Regardless, one thing almost universally agreed upon is that this is an Apple product that is legitimately interesting to test out and explore, rather than the "boring black rectangle" the market has grown accustomed to over the past several years.
"The best spatial computing device on the market"
"Spatial computing" is featured regularly in Vision Pro's marketing materials. Apple wants to differentiate it from other VR/AR headsets that focus on gaming. As a result, numerous of Vision Pro's strengths are in features more dedicated to daily productivity tasks. Technical functions like immersion, eye/hand tracking, and spatial audio are also viewed positively by early reviewers. These strengths can be credited to the device's hardware capabilities, specifically its 4K resolution OLED display and numerous cameras and sensors.
A praised feature of the Vision Pro is its ability to act as a "limitless" monitor extension for the MacBook. Users can project the screen of their MacBook onto the Vision Pro and essentially use it as a monitor. On top of that, it is a monitor that can be as large as the user wants, only limited by the actual physical space the user is in. The MacBook's keyboard and mouse are also supported during the projection.
The Vision Pro's ability to properly lock windows and objects in place is one of its biggest strengths. A common issue encountered in other AR/VR devices is that since the device/display is attached to the user's head, objects often move around as the users turn and move. That appears to not be an issue for the Vision Pro, with objects being locked in their designated place in the "space" and staying there even if the user moved to a different room.
The Vision Pro's flaws
While Vision Pro has impressive technical capabilities, one regularly mentioned hardware flaw is the device's overall comfort level while wearing. The Solo Knit Band, commonly seen in marketing materials for the Vision Pro, is not viable for long periods of use due to the excessive pressure placed on the user's face. Most feedback pointed out that a break is required after at most an hour. The alternative, much plainer looking Dual Loop Band is widely seen as the better option for long sessions.
The device's impressive hardware capability also contributed directly to another one of its major flaws: it's rather heavy for a headset. The numerous sensors and cameras required to achieve said capability, coupled with the aluminum alloy frame, resulted in an official weight of 600-650 grams and required a 353-gram battery pack attached to use. This made it even more physically taxing for users to engage in longer sessions.
Additionally, while the Vision Pro's choice to use a separate battery pack is viewed as a sensible solution to make the device more lightweight, the 2–3-hour battery life is generally regarded as unsatisfactory. The need for constant recharges (or just being plugged in) has left many to see the device as something used within the comforts of one's home or office.
The "worst" Vision Pro
Overall, the US$3500 retail price of the Vision Pro remains an extremely high asking price for a first-generation product with many features either still in Beta or have yet to be shown to the public. In other words, current buyers of the Vision Pro are paying a premium to Apple to test out a "prototype."
When considering the trade-off between price and practicality, the Vision Pro may not be positioned for the general consumer yet. However, the device has provided a vision and likely paths of improvement and downgrade for a future, cheaper version of the Vision Pro, similar to how the iPhone and Apple Watch took several generations of development and changes to become the successful product lines they are now. In other words, the Vision Pro we see now will undoubtedly be the "worst" Vision Pro we ever see.
Furthermore, even with its noticeable flaws, Apple Vision Pro undoubtedly stirred up waves in the XR market in 2024, allowing fellow competitors such as Meta's Quest 3 to receive more attention and adjust their products, similar to how iOS influenced changes in Android. From now on, XR device makers must showcase even more advantages of their products to comply with the new standards the Vision Pro has set for the market.
