Never mind the fact that mixed reality headsets have been around for a few years now, but if you've come across a diehard Apple fan in recent weeks, chances are you may have heard them talk about a revolutionary new Apple product that's going to change our lives forever. They would have been talking about the Apple Vision Pro, the company's new mixed reality headset that came out a few weeks ago.
Apart from its futuristic ski goggles look, the headset also boasts a price tag of $3,499, making it one of the most expensive headsets on the market right now. There are more attainable headsets from the likes of Meta and PlayStation that can provide a lot of the same functionality, but there are areas where Apple's headset has the edge.
It objectively has one of the nicest software experiences of any mixed reality headset on the market right now. The software works very well, particularly within Apple's ecosystem, to provide users with an elevated experience. However, that's not to say it's immune to the challenges that every other product in this category faces.
You can imagine that wearing such a heavy headset on your face isn't going to be comfortable. Headaches and motion sickness are some of the most common complaints that we see from headset users. Some also complain about dryness in their eyes, which leads to irritation and discomfort.
Many Apple Vision Pro owners have the exact same complaints and that's why they're returning the headset. A lot of users have taken to social media platforms to share that they're taking in their Vision Pro for a full refund. It's clear to see that the novelty has worn off for them and they're not willing to part with $3,499, no matter the depth of their loyalty to Apple.
Apple allows customers to return any product within 14 days of purchase and with that mark now passed for many of the early Vision Pro customers, it's not surprising to see that some of them have decided to return the headset. In addition to complaints about comfort and the sheer weight of the device, many also feel that the device doesn't provide enough value for money to justify that price tag.
One Reddit user who sent back their Vision Pro summed it up nicely, saying “I’m not using this for productivity, and if I don’t love it for entertainment, and if there aren’t enough games to play on it – I just can’t justify keeping it.” Based on their experience, it appears that the device isn't really all that good in everything that it was supposed to revolutionize for users. Other professionals who tested out the device for serious work came away unimpressed as well, either due to a lack of file support, fewer apps, or a clunky multitasking experience.
Many are encouraged by what Apple has produced and would be willing to try out a second-generation device. It goes without saying that the next one would address many of these issues, but this also highlights a fundamental and rather existential question for headsets like the Vision Pro, which aim to take mixed reality beyond the home, in what may be potentially damaging to the social fabric of society.
I'm not inclined to believe that somebody's work is so important that they need to have a monstrosity of a headset strapped on their face while they're out and about, waving their hands and fingers in mid-air as they navigate through the user interface on the headset. It's not like that headset can help them properly do their work in the first place. The device is clearly not capable enough yet, and may not be for several iterations.
Call me old fashioned but if I had some urgent business to attend to while out on the road, I'd carry my laptop with me like people have done for years, and do what I need to properly. A headset isn't the product I'd want to rely on when my professional obligations are at stake, as surely a lot of these users have realized after spending money on the Vision Pro.
It's unclear precisely how many of the Vision Pro headsets Apple has sold so far and what the return rate is like. The company has poured significant resources in this project so it's obviously going to follow through with a second-generation device, perhaps in a couple of years. We'll have to wait and see how the technology develops by then, because for now, you're better off saving that $3,499.
