Apple Vision Pro: A Year Later, $3500 Regret Looms Large?
Remember the Apple Vision Pro, Apple's ambitious foray into mixed reality? Launched with much fanfare and a hefty $3,500 price tag, it promised a revolutionary experience. But one year later, a growing chorus of early adopters are singing a different tune: regret. Did Apple's shiny new gadget live up to the hype, or is it destined to become an expensive paperweight?
Buyer's remorse seems to be the prevailing sentiment among those who shelled out for the Vision Pro. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, many users admit the device is now "collecting dust". Dustin Fox, a real estate agent, confessed he's only used it four times in the past year. His primary complaint? Its weight. "It's way too heavy," he explained, "I can't wear it for more than 20 or 30 minutes without it hurting my neck."
The 1.3 to 1.4-pound weight appears to be a major deterrent for sustained use. While Fox was initially drawn to the novelty and potential productivity gains, the discomfort outweighed the benefits. He even considered selling it but realized he wouldn't recoup his investment, echoing a common frustration among early adopters.
Tovia Goldstein echoed these sentiments. "After 60 minutes, you can't, you just have to throw it down," she said. Goldstein also pointed to the lengthy startup time, requiring connection to an external battery and several minutes of waiting, as another cumbersome aspect of the experience.
Beyond the physical discomfort, some users reported negative social experiences wearing the Vision Pro in public. Anthony Racaniello, a media studio operator, sold his headset for $1,900 – a significant 46% loss – partly due to the "dirty looks" and laughter he received. "For now, you have to put on what feels like a 500-pound MacBook Pro, strap it to your face and have people laugh at you," he quipped.
The initial hype surrounding the Vision Pro was undeniable. Pre-orders were strong, with estimates suggesting Apple sold between 160,000 and 180,000 units in a single weekend in January. Videos of people using the headset in unconventional situations, even while driving, went viral. But the novelty quickly wore off.
Reports surfaced of discomfort, neck pain, headaches, and even black eyes. Apple reportedly slashed its annual shipment forecast in half and temporarily halted production due to low demand. The lack of a compelling "killer app" and the cumbersome nature of the device seem to be the primary culprits.
Despite the current setbacks, Apple isn't giving up on VR/AR. Rumors suggest they're working on a Vision Pro 2, aiming for a lighter and more affordable design. Whether they can address the existing issues and reignite consumer interest remains to be seen.
Is the Apple Vision Pro a glimpse into the future, or just an expensive experiment gone wrong? What features would make a VR/AR headset truly indispensable? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
