Apple Vision Pro: Buyer’s Remorse and High Price Tag Plague Early Adopters

The Apple Vision Pro, initially hailed as a revolutionary device, is now facing a wave of buyer's remorse among early adopters. Despite its hefty $3,499 starting price, users are reporting a range of issues, from discomfort during extended use to a lack of compelling applications, leading many to question the value of their investment.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, many Vision Pro owners are experiencing significant regret. Dustin Fox, one such user, admitted that his headset is "just collecting dust," having used it only a handful of times in the past year. This sentiment is echoed by others who cite discomfort as a major drawback.

At 600 to 650 grams, the Apple Vision Pro is considerably heavier than competitors, causing fatigue after just an hour of use. Tovia Goldstein, a 24-year-old from New York City, lamented the limited app ecosystem, which, combined with the discomfort, curtailed his usage.

Other complaints include the slow startup time and the need to wait several minutes after connecting the external battery before the device becomes usable. These issues compound the already high barrier to entry posed by the price tag.

Resale values for the Apple Vision Pro are also proving disappointing. Anthony Racaniello, a media studio operator from Philadelphia, sold his headset for $1,900, absorbing a 46 percent loss. He noted that he didn't miss the product, further highlighting the dissatisfaction among some users.

The high price point was also a source of amusement, or perhaps shock, on a recent episode of "The Price is Right at Night." Contestants significantly underestimated the Vision Pro's retail price, with guesses ranging from $750 to $1,270. The actual price of $3,499 drew gasps from the audience, underscoring just how expensive the device is perceived to be.

Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities previously predicted that the high price and limited use cases would lead to increased return rates. This prediction seems to be materializing as early adopters grapple with the realities of owning the Apple Vision Pro.

While Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the Vision Pro is an "early-adopter product," the current challenges highlight the need for improvements in comfort, app availability, and perhaps most crucially, affordability. Is the Apple Vision Pro truly the future of spatial computing, or is it a luxury gadget with limited appeal?

What are your thoughts on the Apple Vision Pro? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!

• Apple Vision Pro
• The Wall Street Journal
• Tim Cook