One year of Vision Pro: was it worth it?
Last spring, I flew to New York City to buy my first ever Apple headset. These are my experiences from twelve months.
Vision Pro sales talk in the Apple Store: Technology in need of explanation.
(Image: Apple)
Even the purchase of the Vision Pro was exciting for me. I almost didn't get any of the famous Apple presentations when I bought it, as I was slightly late at the store under the World Trade Center. But the nice employee helped me anyway. And so I experienced the high-resolution 4K OLED screens, complete with 3D recordings, a dinosaur running at me and a user interface that was almost flawless, even in the first visionOS version, thanks to eye and finger tracking.
But would I buy the Vision Pro, which has been on the market for exactly one year this month, again? At this price, which Apple has still not reduced despite the alleged end of production of the current model (in Germany from 4000 euros), I would say no. Of course, as a technology journalist, I'm in a different situation: I need the device for work so that I can try it out regularly, for example when a new visionOS version finally brings exciting new functions that I then have to write about. But for normal users? Far too expensive and a real luxury item, as exciting as the technology is. In addition, there are all sorts of niggles that are normal with a generation 1 Apple product, but don't normally cost an average gross monthly salary. I am therefore eagerly awaiting a cheaper Generation 2, but only Apple knows when that will come.
Usability between heaven and hell
Once you've set up the Vision Pro, it's fun. The operation works well, visionOS is largely stable (for a completely new operating system), the entertainment options are great (although 3D films are almost too low-resolution) and the range of apps is decent (even if it is growing more slowly than at the beginning, but iPad programs are running). The problem, however, is the form factor. The device's weight of 600 to 650 grams weighs heavily on the face and causes “vision face” and “visionOS neck”. The battery alone, weighing 353 grams, is constantly in the way due to its cable. I still can't manage to blindly connect the battery to the headset using the bayonet catch. The 3D printing solution of attaching the battery to the back of the head is funny, but in the long run it hurts more than it helps.
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Using the Vision Pro is therefore always a “big deal”. You don't just grab the headset like you would a notebook or smartphone. You really have to take your time with the device. A mindful use of technology, so to speak. Nowadays, however, there is hardly any time for this, which means that the Vision Pro gradually spends more and more time in the cupboard or on the shelf after purchase. It is simply too expensive for that. Although the technology is unbeaten by the competition – a Quest 3, for example, has a completely different picture quality – the competition is catching up. Samsung's “Project Moohan” with Android XR may be a Vision Pro copy, but it still does a lot of things right. So Apple cannot rest on its laurels. Apple can completely do away with the very strange EyeSight function, which directs the user's eyes outwards and is rather creepy. I also don't like using the Personas feature for video chats with avatars.
Form factor is a headache
There are also other annoyances that quickly become apparent after prolonged use. The lenses of the Vision Pro tend to get dirty, and keeping them clean is not that easy (despite the cleaning cloth supplied). There are still various Apple apps that have not been adapted for visionOS – for example the map app, which nobody really understands. The battery life of the Vision Pro is too short, so you often end up with double cables (battery connected to the Vision Pro and the power supply unit). Finding the correct optical inserts (which fortunately can now be done directly in Germany) is not easy. In my case, I obviously got one that was too strong. I now understandably (!) get headaches the next day after using the Vision Pro and will now try again with new, weaker lenses. With a Quest 3, you can simply keep your glasses on, which is a much simpler solution, but Apple obviously didn't find it elegant enough.
The question now is what will happen with the Vision Pro. As mentioned, Apple seems to be working on a second version, which should be cheaper, for example as a Vision without “Pro” with slightly poorer displays. At the same time, a “normal” Vision Pro 2 would also be indicated: The current one doesn't even handle Apple Intelligence despite the M2 chip, which is really embarrassing for Apple. However, the ideal solution is a completely different form factor: Vision Glasses, so to speak. In other words, real glasses with exactly this technology. But this is exactly where development is stalling: the technology is simply still too expensive and, above all, it takes up too much space. Apple is said to have recently canceled two projects – one for glasses that are linked to the iPhone, one with a Mac link – to continue working on real stand-alone glasses. But that could still take years. After all, Apple has laid the foundations with the Vision Pro and, thanks to its size, also has sufficient capital to get through the dry spell.
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