Vision Pro Owners Say They Regret $3,500 Purchase [WSJ]

A Wall Street Journal report has highlighted that some early adopters of Apple's Vision Pro are now expressing regret over their $3,500 purchase, citing issues like discomfort and a lack of compelling applications a year after its launch.

The mixed-reality headset, which Apple unveiled with much fanfare in February 2024, is reportedly "collecting dust" for some users. Dustin Fox, a realtor from Centreville, Va., told the Journal he'd used his "four times in the last year," primarily due to its weight. "It's way too heavy," Fox said, noting he "can't wear it for more than 20 or 30 minutes without it hurting my neck."

Tovia Goldstein, a 24-year-old New Yorker, echoed concerns about comfort and app availability. He found himself needing breaks after an hour of watching movies and said he hasn't touched the device in about four months. Goldstein also pointed to a painfully long three-minute boot time and concluded, "I wouldn't recommend anyone buying it, unless you're really rich and you don't know what to do with your money."


The Wall Street Journal noted that Apple hasn't disclosed sales figures for the Vision Pro and has faced challenges in encouraging developer app creation. The initial excitement, marked by CEO Tim Cook's appearance at the flagship New York store for the Vision Pro launch, has reportedly waned, with fewer public sightings of the device.

Practicalities like the device's carrying case have also been a pain point. Tech analyst Anshel Sag mentioned the $199 case "takes up like half of the volume of my carry-on," and he stopped using the headset on flights after receiving "pretty dirty looks." Anthony Racaniello, a media studio owner, shared similar experiences, noting he was often ignored by flight attendants and faced ridicule from colleagues when wearing it in the office. "The best compliment I got was a light chuckle and, 'It looks like you're wearing ski goggles at work,'" he told the Journal. Racaniello eventually sold his Vision Pro for $1,900, stating, "It's definitely a glimpse at the future. I just think it's a ways away from there."

However, not all early adopters are completely disillusioned. Yam Olisker, a YouTuber who flew from Israel to be among the first to buy the headset, admitted he uses it "much less than I expected." Still, he expressed no regret, particularly enjoying 3D films like the recent "Metallica" immersive experience, which he said feels like "you're at the concert." To manage the device's weight during movies, Olisker said, "I lie in bed."

Apple declined to comment for The Wall Street Journal's report. While the first-generation Vision Pro has its critics, Apple is reportedly working on next-generation hardware. A report from IT Home earlier this year claimed a second-generation Vision Pro headset had entered mass production for a potential launch before the end of 2025. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted production for the next model, possibly featuring an M5 chip and Apple Intelligence support, would start in late 2025. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, however, suggested a 2026 release, and noted Apple's shift in focus towards a lower-cost headset, potentially called 'Vision Air', which Kuo links to a 2027 debut. This 'Air' model might use titanium for select internal structures to reduce weight.


Further down the line, Apple is also developing smart glasses. According to Mark Gurman, this project, code-named N50, "isn't close to being ready yet." These glasses are expected to leverage Apple Intelligence to analyze the environment and provide information to the wearer, rather than offering full augmented reality features initially. Apple is reportedly developing a dedicated chip for these glasses, with mass production targeted for late 2026 or 2027. The smart glasses are also targeted for a 2027 timeframe, potentially alongside camera-equipped AirPods and Apple Watch models offering similar environmental awareness.

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