At $3,500, the Vision Pro is prohibitively expensive for most consumers, and reviews have made it clear that it is a device that does not easily fit in to an existing workflow. It is great for watching movies, viewing 3D videos, and using as a display for a Mac, but some people have struggled to find a day-to-day use for the device.
At over 1.3 pounds, the Vision Pro is heavy and fatigue can set in quickly. There are two bands options, but for some, it is hard to wear the headset for long periods of time. There is also an external battery pack to contend with, and the headset is not easy to travel with, especially with Apple’s dedicated Travel Case.
The Vision Pro is undoubtedly Apple’s most technically advanced product and an incredible feat of engineering that is impressive when it is first viewed, but those considering a purchase should try it at the Apple Store and do a lot of research on what can be done with it before making a purchase. The Vision Pro is excellent for watching movies and consuming content, plus it can be used as a display for a Mac, but it has a limited number of apps and games.
It will be at least a year before Apple comes out with a new version of the Vision Pro, and rumors suggest that the next Vision Pro will be cheaper with lower-end components. Based on the rumors that work on a second-generation model has been temporarily suspended this is a good time to buy the headset.
Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s augmented and virtual reality headset, a device that has been in development for more than a decade. Vision Pro marks the company’s first entrance into a major new product category since the 2015 Apple Watch, and the device launched on February 2, 2024.
While the Apple Vision Pro is definitely a headset, Apple does not use that word when referring to it. Instead, Apple calls it a spatial computer because of its ability to blend digital content with the physical world. Apple refers to the Vision Pro as the first spatial computing device.
Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset that displays augmented reality content overlaid on the world around you, and immersive entirely virtual content, but it’s worth noting that the headset is not see through. Everything you see is digital. For augmented reality content that does not make your surroundings disappear, Apple uses cameras that map out what’s in front of you, translating that into a digital image augmented by virtual elements.
For a virtual reality experience, Apple shuts off those cameras and can make it seem like you are completely isolated from what’s going on around you, allowing you to focus solely on what’s being displayed on the headset’s screens. This shift between the “real” and the “immersive” can be controlled with an on-device Digital Crown.
Design wise, Apple Vision Pro is not unlike a pair of ski goggles, featuring a singular piece of laminated glass for the front that melds into an aluminum alloy frame. A soft, fitted Light Seal attaches magnetically to the frame and conforms to your face to block out light.