I love the Apple Vision Pro. It is the first truly inspiring portal to the augmented reality world we are evolving into. That said, a fair number of like-minded early adopters are returning their devices (inside the 14-day return window) for the same reasons every other AR/VR device is sitting on the "tech graveyard" shelf in my office: it's not ready for daily use.
The number one complaint about the Apple Vision Pro is weight. Admittedly, the headset is quite heavy and front-loaded. It causes discomfort and headaches for some users and – I can personally attest – it can be painful to wear even for short periods. According to some users, the design and strap system can lead to eye strain, dizziness, and even motion sickness. I've seen this with other AR/VR offerings; my armchair research with our various demo days for other manufacturers showed that about 30% of users got a headache or became nauseated within about 15 minutes of use.
Another cited reason for returns is a lack of productivity. For $3,500 (which is really $5,000 after you add in the case, AppleCare, taxes, etc), people expected more. Again, more armchair research says that people find it hard to use for work. It doesn't multi-task, it doesn't support as many file types as you need it to, and there is no improvement in productivity using gestures over a traditional mouse and keyboard.
While productivity is an issue, perhaps the most damning criticism is lack of entertainment value. There just isn't enough software yet, and for this kind of investment, you just don't want to get bored by your Apple Vision Pro.
While the returns are concerning, it's hard to quantify what percentage of buyers this impacts. Those speaking out may represent a vocal minority, while others may remain satisfied with the Vision Pro.
I can't say this enough times: Apple is pioneering a new space, and Apple Vision Pro is currently the best-in-class. However, at this price point – and at this point in the AR/VR journey – it is not even close to a consumer product.
If you are a visionary developer, a dreamer, or someone who thinks about how we will experience the world in the near-future, this is a device worth owning and working with. If you're a consumer who must have the new new thing, this is for you (for the bragging rights, conversation piece, fashion accessory, etc.). If you are a normal person who just wants stuff to work, don't even think about purchasing one – just find a friend who owns one and go mess around with it for an hour.
As always your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. Just reply to this email. -s
ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.
