Apple Vision Pro, a highly anticipated headset has garnered attention with its hefty $3,500 price tag and controlled marketing strategy. The journey began with a curated photo opportunity at WWDC 2023 and progressed through timed, battery-tucked hands-on sessions leading up to the pre-order week in January. However, initial insights into the headset’s real-world performance, best use cases, and the potential of spatial computing were lacking.
Today, as reviewers and industry experts share their experiences from the past week, we delve into the first impressions of the Apple Vision Pro. The trending topics today will also provide in-depth analysis and buying advice, so stay tuned for our comprehensive evaluation. Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the initial reviews.
Scott Stein of CNET describes living in the Vision Pro for a week as a complex experience. While parts of the device are stunning, others feel unfinished. Stein commends the headset’s depth mapping and spatial awareness, highlighting its ability to process surroundings without guardian boundaries. Using the Vision Pro as an “everywhere computer” with a Mac, Stein notes the crisp 4K projection but points out glitches and floaty controls. He desires more precise controls in 3D space, expressing reservations about the current hand-tracking and eye-tracking capabilities.
Joanna Stern from The Wall Street Journal took the Vision Pro skiing to test Spatial Video recording. The video output, while decent, didn’t surpass what Meta Ray-Ban glasses could achieve at a significantly lower cost. Stern’s 24-hour continuous wear test revealed the headset’s first-generation characteristics—heavy, limited battery life, a scarcity of great apps, and occasional bugs. Stern suggests the best use cases are as a work computer and for watching movies.
Nilay Patel of The Verge explores the Vision Pro’s EyeSight feature, finding it lacking in practicality due to its low-res OLED and reflective cover glass. However, CNBC’s Todd Haselton praises the inner display for eliminating the “screendoor” effect seen in lower-cost headsets, providing an impressive visual experience.
In summary, reviewers unanimously acknowledge Vision Pro as a groundbreaking technological leap in VR, redefining digital experiences. However, as a first-generation product, it is not without flaws. Issues such as the absence of haptics, occasional glitches, limited app availability, and the need for better calibration in hand-eye tracking are noted.
The high price point is identified as a significant barrier, leading The trending topics today to emphasize that the Vision Pro is an extraordinary but expensive developer kit not recommended for the average consumer. Instead, he suggests trying the headset at an Apple Store or making use of the two-week return window. Until a more affordable Apple headset is released, expected in 2-3 years or longer, the Meta Quest 3 is recommended as a safer option for interested consumers.