When Apple unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, it was pitched not just as a headset—but as the beginning of something bigger: a new era of computing.
Forget phones. Forget laptops. This was “spatial computing,” and Apple was placing a bold bet on it. With stunning visuals, eye tracking, gesture control, and a brand-new operating system called visionOS, the Vision Pro was sleek, powerful, and, in classic Apple fashion, beautiful.
But by 2025, the Vision Pro hasn’t changed the world. It hasn’t redefined computing. In fact, most people barely remember it exists.
So what happened?
Why did the most hyped product since the original iPhone fall flat?
Act I: The Promise of a New Reality
Apple hadn’t launched a new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. When Vision Pro was introduced in 2023, it was marketed as the future of productivity, entertainment, and communication—all without the friction of traditional devices.
- You’d watch movies on 100-foot screens in your living room.
- Browse Safari in 3D space.
- Take FaceTime calls where people appeared life-size in your environment.
- Use your eyes and hands to control everything—no controllers required.
Apple made it look effortless in demos. Critics and fans alike called it the most advanced consumer headset ever made.
But beneath the awe was an undeniable problem: no one could explain why anyone needed it.
Act II: The Price, the Pain, the Practicality
When the Vision Pro launched in early 2024, reality hit hard—and fast.
1. The Price Tag
$3,499.
That was the starting price—and that didn’t include prescription lens inserts, extra battery packs, or accessories.
For most people, this wasn’t a computer replacement. It was a luxury toy that cost more than a MacBook Pro and an iPhone combined.
2. The Comfort Problem
Even Apple couldn’t escape physics. The Vision Pro was heavy—nearly 1.4 pounds on your face. Users reported neck strain, red marks, and headaches after extended use.
Early adopters joked that Apple had reinvented VR fatigue.
3. The Battery Flaw
The headset required a tethered battery pack that lasted two hours. It had to stay in your pocket, clipped to your belt, or placed awkwardly nearby.
For a product marketed as “freeing you from your desk,” it felt ironically… attached.
4. The App Gap
visionOS was brand new, and despite Apple’s push, few developers rushed in.
- Netflix didn’t build a native app.
- Spotify said “no thanks.”
- YouTube? Not optimized either.
That left users with web apps and tech demos—not immersive ecosystems.
Act III: The Reality Check
By mid-2024, Vision Pro was being referred to as a “dev kit with a nicer shell.” It became clear it wasn’t meant for everyday people—it was for developers, early adopters, and Apple superfans.
Sales reflected that.
- Initial shipments sold out—but only because they were limited.
- By Q3 2024, demand plateaued.
- Return rates were quietly high.
- Stores went from “line out the door” to “try it in the corner over there.”
The most damning sign?
Even Apple barely talked about it by the end of the year.
Act IV: The Culture Clash
Part of the Vision Pro’s problem wasn’t just technical—it was cultural.
- Wearing a headset is isolating. You can’t wear it in public without looking awkward.
- It’s hard to share. You can’t just show someone your screen like a phone or laptop.
- It lacked a killer app. There was no “FaceTime moment,” no “Instagram for AR.”
- And crucially: it didn’t feel social.
Apple built a personal productivity and entertainment device—but the world wasn’t asking for one. Not in that form. Not at that price.
Act V: The Aftermath and What Comes Next
In early 2025, Apple quietly shifted its messaging.
Instead of calling it the future of computing, they rebranded Vision Pro as a high-end niche device for:
- Architects visualizing blueprints in 3D
- Filmmakers viewing immersive footage
- Remote workers attending high-end spatial meetings
And that’s where it seems to be headed: a Mac Studio for your face—not an iPhone replacement.
There are rumors of a Vision Air, a lighter, cheaper version due in late 2025 or 2026. If Apple can hit a $1,500 price point and fix the weight issue, they might still have a shot at mainstream relevance.
But the shine is gone. And the original promise—this will change everything—has already slipped away.
The Takeaway: Vision Pro Didn’t Fail Technically. It Failed Emotionally.
The Vision Pro is an incredible piece of engineering.
But it failed to make people care.
There was no must-have reason to buy one.
No app that made it essential.
No cultural wave that carried it into daily life.
It launched with brilliance, but without a clear reason for existing—and in a world flooded with screens and devices, that’s a fatal mistake.
The dream of spatial computing isn’t over. But for now, the Vision Pro remains a headset in search of a purpose.
And until Apple—or anyone else—solves that, the future will stay just out of view.
The TechWanderer 