It has been a year since Apple launched the Vision Pro, their first new product category since the 2016 AirPods. While the $3,500 device hasn't reached the same level of popularity as the earbuds, it's premature to call it a failure. This review revisits the past year to assess the device's future.
Hardware Assessment
A detailed hardware breakdown was conducted at launch, and the fundamental truths remain consistent. Living with the device has solidified a few key observations.
Display Quality
The micro-OLED displays are still fantastic, providing sufficient resolution for most tasks. However, text can appear slightly soft around the edges, especially when working with a Mac. The displays need higher brightness levels to deliver a true HDR experience. The current panels don't provide enough "punch" due to light transmission loss.
Pass-Through Cameras
The pass-through cameras remain the weakest part of the Vision Pro experience. The grainy, low-resolution feed becomes distracting. Users often default to virtual environments, effectively turning the Vision Pro into a VR headset.
Comfort Issues
Apple misjudged the comfort requirements. The device is heavy and requires facial pressure for stability. Third-party headbands improve comfort, allowing removal of the light shield. Apple's partnership with ResMed to create a comfort-focused strap indicates a recognition of the original design's shortcomings. The hardware is merely adequate, not comfortable or easily accessible.
visionOS and Its Merits
Does the visionOS software make the hardware hassles worthwhile? Sometimes, yes.
Immersive Entertainment
Strip away the productivity promises and the Vision Pro excels at immersive entertainment. Watching movies and TV in the headset is a distraction-free experience, eliminating reflections and creating a cinematic experience. 3D movies feel revitalized due to each eye receiving its own video feed.
Unique and Remarkable Experiences
There are two experiences that stand out on the Vision Pro.
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Sports: Watching The Masters golf tournament was exceptional, providing access to every shot from every golfer on every hole. Sports like Formula 1 also benefit from the VR experience.
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Spatial Photos: The ability to convert any 2D photo to spatial is a "killer app." Reliving memories in 3D is incredibly special.
Mac Virtual Display
The Mac Virtual Display mode received an update with support for ultra-wide resolutions and improved text sharpness. However, the need to intentionally grab and put on the Vision Pro highlights a key problem.
App Ecosystem and Gaming
The Vision Pro's app library is lacking.
App Availability
Dedicated visionOS apps have been slow to materialize, and many apps have been abandoned. Even Apple's own apps feel like afterthoughts. A chicken-and-egg problem exists between users wanting more apps and developers wanting more users.
Gaming Shortcomings
Gaming has been particularly disappointing despite the powerful hardware. Most games are simple 2D ports of existing iOS titles. The absence of room-scale VR support and controller input limits the immersive experiences possible.
The Identity Crisis and Future
The Vision Pro faces an identity crisis. Is it a productivity device, an entertainment platform, or a communication tool? Apple's "everything everywhere" approach has left the platform unfocused. This is similar to the early Apple Watch, which found its groove in fitness tracking and notifications.
Defining Success
What does Apple want the Vision Pro to become? A toy for the rich? A mainstream content consumption device? The answer will dictate what constitutes success. If they're hoping for a mass-market device, they have a long way to go.
Final Thoughts
Despite its shortcomings, the Vision Pro delivers unique experiences. The foundation is here, and it is up to Apple to refine the experience and bring it down to the mass market. While the $3,500 price tag is currently unjustifiable for most people, the potential of the device is clear.