What do I make of all the doom and gloom reports of Apple Vision Pro?

[Ghost31]

My first instinct is to be dismissive because we’ve all seen “Apple is doomed” news since the very first iPhone. There are entire industries that make money off of just click bait fear mongering bs

Having said that, this is a new product category that was already niche to begin with and apple’s attempt is awesome but priced most of the market out. As someone that wants to pick one up soon, should I be worried about Apple abandoning this product? Will there be a version 2? Am I lighting my money on fire buying one?

Usually I can make some sense out of leaks and rumors but it’s all a crapshoot when it comes to this product. Sometimes I hear Apple is making a pro 2 and it’s coming 2025 and later I hear it’s scrapped and they’re making a cheaper one then next I hear Apple is disappointed with sales numbers and the future is looking bleak.

iPhone rumors are fairly consistent. I get a general idea about where things are going even if some details are off or delayed. Vision? Psh

 

[filmgirl]

As someone that wants to pick one up soon, should I be worried about Apple abandoning this product? Will there be a version 2? Am I lighting my money on fire buying one?

I don’t think you should be worried about Apple straight-up abandoning the product, but nearly a year in, we can also call a spade a spade and admit when a product is a hit out of the gate and when it’s a dud. AVP is a dud.

That doesn’t mean that it can’t come back; Apple Watch was also a flop at launch but with the second iteration and the refocus on fitness instead of fashion made it a huge hit. But the one thing that those of us who bought the first version of the Apple Watch know (the Series 0 as it became colloquially known) is that the replacement was significantly better and the support for that initial model was much more limited because of the processor and onboard memory. Apple’s cheaper Series 1 (sold when the Series 2 was introduced) was better than the watch many of us spent $500+ on.

I think Apple has sunk enough money into this that there will be a version 2. Now, when that comes out, I don’t know. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it had a different focus and target. If they ever want to sell this in volume, they’ll have to make changes to the price, the weight, aspects of the design (like the head straps), and more.

You know your own finances and circumstances and if you want something, no harm in buying and returning I guess. But the tech that it shipped with in 2024 was already more limited (an M2 when M3 machines were shipping and M4 iPads just three months away) and that isn’t going to improve. Similarly, the developer interest is categorically not there at the moment and I don’t see that changing unless the hardware is more accessible.

So you’re spending $4000 on a promise that a year in, hasn’t really paid off for most people. I don’t get the sense a new version will be out any time soon — unless Apple wants to drop a spec bump or something to try to juice sales (but I doubt they’ve sold all the ones they’ve manufactured so who even knows if they’d do that, as opposed to waiting for a redesign) — but I also don’t get the sense that if Vision Pro is viable, it’ll be based on the design and specs of the current model.

Is that lighting money on fire? I guess it depends on your budget and if you can handle it if you buy it and find out six months later that it is discontinued. I guess, worst case, you can always use it as a giant Mac screen and as a way to watch movies from, iTunes and select streaming services. Is that worth the price? Only you can answer that.

Were it me, I'd look at buying one used off of eBay or Facebook Marketplace or something, where they can go for $2500 or so. I personally wouldn’t pay MSRP today, but then, I refused to buy one in February on the basis of the value not being there (for me) and me not having a business use case to justify dropping the money on it.

 

[dandrewk]

My first instinct is to be dismissive because we’ve all seen “Apple is doomed” news since the very first iPhone. There are entire industries that make money off of just click bait fear mongering bs

Having said that, this is a new product category that was already niche to begin with and apple’s attempt is awesome but priced most of the market out. As someone that wants to pick one up soon, should I be worried about Apple abandoning this product? Will there be a version 2? Am I lighting my money on fire buying one?

Usually I can make some sense out of leaks and rumors but it’s all a crapshoot when it comes to this product. Sometimes I hear Apple is making a pro 2 and it’s coming 2025 and later I hear it’s scrapped and they’re making a cheaper one then next I hear Apple is disappointed with sales numbers and the future is looking bleak.

iPhone rumors are fairly consistent. I get a general idea about where things are going even if some details are off or delayed. Vision? Psh

Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. I’ve owned an EV for nearly 13 years, and am very familiar with that sort of disinformation. If you think Apple haters are bad, try dealing with the petrochemical industry, most automakers and all their employees masquerading as members of congress.

The anti AVP crowd is made up mostly of Apple haters, Apple competitors, Android fanboys, and others who can’t afford AVPs and take out their frustration trolling AVP forums and groups. Their posts are usually long winded and filled with lame assumptions and lack of understanding about marketing.

Apple doesn’t expend $billions on R&D and then dump it anytime soon. They didn’t become one of the largest corporations in the world by wasting $billions and being short sighted. There isn’t a single -reputable- industry media writer that thinks the AVP is a “dud”.

tldr; If you can afford it, book a demo, maybe buy one. You can always return it, but you probably won’t. The AVP will be here for a long time.

 

[fatTribble]

If something happened to my VP today, I’d drive to my local Apple store to buy a new one.

 

[Ghost31]

Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. I’ve owned an EV for nearly 13 years, and am very familiar with that sort of disinformation. If you think Apple haters are bad, try dealing with the petrochemical industry, most automakers and all their employees masquerading as members of congress.

The anti AVP crowd is made up mostly of Apple haters, Apple competitors, Android fanboys, and others who can’t afford AVPs and take out their frustration trolling AVP forums and groups. Their posts are usually long winded and filled with lame assumptions and lack of understanding about marketing.

Apple doesn’t expend $billions on R&D and then dump it anytime soon. They didn’t become one of the largest corporations in the world by wasting $billions and being short sighted. There isn’t a single -reputable- industry media writer that thinks the AVP is a “dud”.

tldr; If you can afford it, book a demo, maybe buy one. You can always return it, but you probably won’t. The AVP will be here for a long time.

I did a demo like you said and well let’s just say the demo isn’t over yet lol

 

[geauxmac]

I’m going to bring mine to family Christmas this week to demo it to everyone. The newest episode of Wildlife with the tiger sharks will drop jaws of any skeptics. lol

 

[jigzaw]

I don’t think you should be worried about Apple straight-up abandoning the product, but nearly a year in, we can also call a spade a spade and admit when a product is a hit out of the gate and when it’s a dud. AVP is a dud.

That doesn’t mean that it can’t come back; Apple Watch was also a flop at launch but with the second iteration and the refocus on fitness instead of fashion made it a huge hit. But the one thing that those of us who bought the first version of the Apple Watch know (the Series 0 as it became colloquially known) is that the replacement was significantly better and the support for that initial model was much more limited because of the processor and onboard memory. Apple’s cheaper Series 1 (sold when the Series 2 was introduced) was better than the watch many of us spent $500+ on.

I think Apple has sunk enough money into this that there will be a version 2. Now, when that comes out, I don’t know. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it had a different focus and target. If they ever want to sell this in volume, they’ll have to make changes to the price, the weight, aspects of the design (like the head straps), and more.

You know your own finances and circumstances and if you want something, no harm in buying and returning I guess. But the tech that it shipped with in 2024 was already more limited (an M2 when M3 machines were shipping and M4 iPads just three months away) and that isn’t going to improve. Similarly, the developer interest is categorically not there at the moment and I don’t see that changing unless the hardware is more accessible.

So you’re spending $4000 on a promise that a year in, hasn’t really paid off for most people. I don’t get the sense a new version will be out any time soon — unless Apple wants to drop a spec bump or something to try to juice sales (but I doubt they’ve sold all the ones they’ve manufactured so who even knows if they’d do that, as opposed to waiting for a redesign) — but I also don’t get the sense that if Vision Pro is viable, it’ll be based on the design and specs of the current model.

Is that lighting money on fire? I guess it depends on your budget and if you can handle it if you buy it and find out six months later that it is discontinued. I guess, worst case, you can always use it as a giant Mac screen and as a way to watch movies from, iTunes and select streaming services. Is that worth the price? Only you can answer that.

Were it me, I'd look at buying one used off of eBay or Facebook Marketplace or something, where they can go for $2500 or so. I personally wouldn’t pay MSRP today, but then, I refused to buy one in February on the basis of the value not being there (for me) and me not having a business use case to justify dropping the money on it.

I'm kind of interested in going the used route, but I'm concerned about all the fitted parts and feel like I'd end up spending near original price anyway if I need different light shields, or straps, or the face fitting parts or whatever...

I did own it briefly for 2 weeks and returned it because a job I was on came to an end early and I could no longer rationalize the price, but I do think about it from time to time and kinda want it again. My only real complaint about it was when watching a movie with a darkened background, I'd get all kinds of glare in my peripheral vision. The Apple Genius said it was likely a fitting issue but he couldn't find a fit that made it work for me. I also read online that it's just part of the deal with VR, those lenses are going to have rings of glare no matter what you do. It's the one thing that's kept me away from trying again...

 

[W£S]

I'm kind of interested in going the used route, but I'm concerned about all the fitted parts and feel like I'd end up spending near original price anyway if I need different light shields, or straps, or the face fitting parts or whatever...

I did own it briefly for 2 weeks and returned it because a job I was on came to an end early and I could no longer rationalize the price, but I do think about it from time to time and kinda want it again. My only real complaint about it was when watching a movie with a darkened background, I'd get all kinds of glare in my peripheral vision. The Apple Genius said it was likely a fitting issue but he couldn't find a fit that made it work for me. I also read online that it's just part of the deal with VR, those lenses are going to have rings of glare no matter what you do. It's the one thing that's kept me away from trying again...

I had the same issues, glare I mean. It made me return the set.

But shortly after, I chanced about a mint set selling for around 60% of the cost, with free AVP case from Apple. Immediately pounced on it. Somehow, at 60% of the cost, I was able to accept the glare more. At full price, I expect perfection

 

[Macaholic868]

I wouldn’t write it off yet either but if you’re buying this or even the next revision that hits in 2026 and expecting it to be a big hit IMO you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Immersive / 3D content is the killer app and there isn’t enough of it yet. What Apple has been able to produce so far has been enough to give us a glimpse of what is possible but they don’t even have the foundation in place yet for this to be able to take off in the way their other products have.

The BlackMagic camera that a lot of would be content creators for the device have been waiting for isn’t even out yet. There is not yet anything resembling a fast or cost effective way to produce immersive content.

I don’t think we’ll start seeing a faster drip of new, non-Apple produced immersive content until 2026 at the absolute earliest. The BlackMagic camera hardware has to be released, would be content creators have to get their hands on it and start experimenting with it and then move on to actually producing content that will still need to go through the standard post production process before it can be put out there assuming BlackMagic gets it mostly right with its forthcoming camera which is a big assumption for hardware that hasn’t shipped yet. The camera could be a hit, but it could also be a dud, or more likely the first iteration will be somewhere in the middle. So I’d expect it’ll take a few iterations to really nail it if BlackMagic or some rival is able to nail it.

I’ve said from day one that this is a medium to long term play for Apple and IMO absolutely nothing has changed in that regard.

You’re talking about at least 5 years, but probably more like 10 years, before enough content is out there and the hardware is affordable enough for consumers to be interested in owning one.

I think for the device to really be a hit it’ll have to be in more of an AR glasses style form factor and that kind of display technology doesn’t even exist yet.

So the entire Vision platform is very much a medium to long term play and IMHO the smart money is a long term play closer to 10 years out. Apple has the cash to do it but it will take time and there is no guarantee that it will all come to fruition for them.

It may never happen but if it does it’s not going to be tomorrow, next year or even the year after that. This will take years but with Meta, Apple and soon to be Google all bringing products in the AR / VR space to market I think the smart money is that there will be a market for it in the future. The question is which company or companies get there first?

Maybe it’ll be Meta, maybe it’ll be Apple, maybe it will be Google, maybe Microsoft re-enters the space or maybe it’s a small company that already exists that most of us haven’t heard of yet or even one that doesn’t exist yet. Maybe it’ll be a combination of a couple of players like it is in the smartphone and tablet markets or maybe one will hit it out of the park and dominate for a long period of time.

I don’t know how it’ll play out but I do know this. Once you’ve experienced immersive content, good 3D movies and/or spatial pictures and video that you’ve taken on the AVP you can tell there is massive potential there if the price and form factor are right and there’s a nice pool of content to be able to choose from.

 

[Ghost31]

I wouldn’t write it off yet either but if you’re buying this or even the next revision that hits in 2026 and expecting it to be a big hit IMO you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Immersive / 3D content is the killer app and there isn’t enough of it yet. What Apple has been able to produce so far has been enough to give us a glimpse of what is possible but they don’t even have the foundation in place yet for this to be able to take off in the way their other products have.

The BlackMagic camera that a lot of would be content creators for the device have been waiting for isn’t even out yet. There is not yet anything resembling a fast or cost effective way to produce immersive content.

I don’t think we’ll start seeing a faster drip of new, non-Apple produced immersive content until 2026 at the absolute earliest. The BlackMagic camera hardware has to be released, would be content creators have to get their hands on it and start experimenting with it and then move on to actually producing content that will still need to go through the standard post production process before it can be put out there assuming BlackMagic gets it mostly right with its forthcoming camera which is a big assumption for hardware that hasn’t shipped yet. The camera could be a hit, but it could also be a dud, or more likely the first iteration will be somewhere in the middle. So I’d expect it’ll take a few iterations to really nail it if BlackMagic or some rival is able to nail it.

I’ve said from day one that this is a medium to long term play for Apple and IMO absolutely nothing has changed in that regard.

You’re talking about at least 5 years, but probably more like 10 years, before enough content is out there and the hardware is affordable enough for consumers to be interested in owning one.

I think for the device to really be a hit it’ll have to be in more of an AR glasses style form factor and that kind of display technology doesn’t even exist yet.

So the entire Vision platform is very much a medium to long term play and IMHO the smart money is a long term play closer to 10 years out. Apple has the cash to do it but it will take time and there is no guarantee that it will all come to fruition for them.

It may never happen but if it does it’s not going to be tomorrow, next year or even the year after that. This will take years but with Meta, Apple and soon to be Google all bringing products in the AR / VR space to market I think the smart money is that there will be a market for it in the future. The question is which company or companies get there first?

Maybe it’ll be Meta, maybe it’ll be Apple, maybe it will be Google, maybe Microsoft re-enters the space or maybe it’s a small company that already exists that most of us haven’t heard of yet or even one that doesn’t exist yet. Maybe it’ll be a combination of a couple of players like it is in the smartphone and tablet markets or maybe one will hit it out of the park and dominate for a long period of time.

I don’t know how it’ll play out but I do know this. Once you’ve experienced immersive content, good 3D movies and/or spatial pictures and video that you’ve taken on the AVP you can tell there is massive potential there if the price and form factor are right and there’s a nice pool of content to be able to choose from.

Such a great comment. And I completely agree. Since my post I went out and I got a Vision Pro and I totally get it now. It’s different seeing things on the Internet and people talking about a product but actually getting to experience it. Wow. The second I put it on and I got to see hand tracking and gestures in action and immersive content it totally made sense that this was the future of content consumption. I wish everybody could experience this, but I totally understand based on the price.

I vaguely remember a leak a while back from deep inside apple that said the engineers that worked on the Vision Pro said that this product will not be fully in gear until the third or fourth generation and I totally see that. The night before I went to the Apple Store I watched every video I could find of Tim Cook talking about the Vision Pro and the engineers behind it talking about it and it really seems like they knew exactly what it was gonna be when it headed to market and that this isn’t a mass adopted product. Tim Cook said it’s just a vision of the future for early adopters. The very fact they put pro in the name itself indicates they intend to make a cheaper one.

I think the conversation about this product is different now vs 10 years from now. I remember when the first iPhone came out and I was using one of those T-Mobile PDA’s with the stylus and the iPhone felt like it was a vision of the future but people were complaining about different issues they had with it or that it didn’t have a hardware keyboard or I didn’t have picture messaging or that was too expensive. Feels a lot like what’s going on now with Vision Pro. I think Apple is in it for the long haul.

 

[jsamuelson]

It's all about pricing. It's just too expensive right now. They need to produce a Vision SE (also fully agree with the timeline laid out in the post above).

The Meta 3S is that Wii-like sweet spot and will sell like hotcakes because it's a few hundred dollars.

That's my theory anyway...

 

[Roller]

To answer @Ghost31's original question: I mostly ignore the reports and comments, including the ones in this thread and elsewhere. People are of course entitled to their opinions, but they have no effect on whether I'm pleased with my AVP or not. That doesn't mean I don't want to see a less expensive version, improvements to visionOS, or more apps, but my use cases are very much worth it to me in the current state, and that's all that counts.

 

[geauxmac]

Watching the last 20 minutes of Wicked in 3D in cinema mode has added much value! 💚🩷

 

[W£S]

Watching the last 20 minutes of Wicked in 3D in cinema mode has added much value! 💚🩷

My preference is now to watch on AVP unless I am watching with family.

Am also now subscribed to Disney due to the AVP app and the 3D shows. Disney should thank Apple😆

 

[Ghost31]

My preference is now to watch on AVP unless I am watching with family.

Am also now subscribed to Disney due to the AVP app and the 3D shows. Disney should thank Apple😆

I actually went to the movies the other day and was disappointed it wasn’t as good as my avp. That was unexpected.

 

[W£S]

I actually went to the movies the other day and was disappointed it wasn’t as good as my avp. That was unexpected.

Mainly because AVP is using micro oled, which is the best technology out there now.

I may be wrong, but at least where I stay, none of the theatre can even match OLED, not to mention Micro OLED.

Last time, the theatre can still “win” based on size. Now the AVP can match the size and you get to “select” where you want to “sit”. All without the distractions of people around you.

 

[Ghost31]

Mainly because AVP is using micro oled, which is the best technology out there now.

I may be wrong, but at least where I stay, none of the theatre can even match OLED, not to mention Micro OLED.

Last time, the theatre can still “win” based on size. Now the AVP can match the size and you get to “select” where you want to “sit”. All without the distractions of people around you.

My theater experience has been noticeably suckier the last year. Sticky floors, children talking (why are they here seeing terrifier 3 anyway?) and mediocre food with inflated prices.

I bought a hot dog steamer and a popcorn maker for movie nights at home. Now I’m pretty set. The wife unfortunately still gets the tv until we can afford another avp lol

 

[nfl46]

No way in hell Apple abandons the AVP. It has so much potential that hasn’t been unleashed yet.

 

[dotzero123]

I bought a Quest 3 and decided it will hold me over until Apple has more content available for the Vision Pro. Just too steep for me, as I use it for recreation not work. I know it's not as good, but it's really good.

 

[Ghost31]

I bought a Quest 3 and decided it will hold me over until Apple has more content available for the Vision Pro. Just too steep for me, as I use it for recreation not work. I know it's not as good, but it's really good.

It’s funny because I did literally the exact same thing. I did a demo of the avp and thought wow this is cool. Can’t afford it. Got a quest 3. Love it. But using it everyday for media, I always wanted something better. Higher resolution. But I talked myself out of avp so many times.

3 demos and 8 months later and I now have an avp. No regrets. Hopefully a cheaper one comes sooner than later for everybody

 

[geauxmac]

Mainly because AVP is using micro oled, which is the best technology out there now.

I may be wrong, but at least where I stay, none of the theatre can even match OLED, not to mention Micro OLED.

Last time, the theatre can still “win” based on size. Now the AVP can match the size and you get to “select” where you want to “sit”. All without the distractions of people around you.

It’s so nice to not have to listen to people smacking food and tearing and rolling popcorn bags.

 

[Bodhitree]

Pff entertainment schmentertainment… just give up on watching all tv and movies, it’s all the same manufactured stuff anyway.

 

[Ghost31]

Pff entertainment schmentertainment… just give up on watching all tv and movies, it’s all the same manufactured stuff anyway.

I just come home and have staring contests with my cat. That’s entertainment enough

 

[damienDevZ]

While I don’t know anyone IRL who owns one… or has even tried the demo, I love mine and use it daily. People seem to mainly take issue with the price but will also happily spend $1000/month on alcohol and gambling.

 

[Ghost31]

While I don’t know if anyone IRL who owns one… or has even tried the demo, I love mine and use it daily. People seem to mainly take issue with the price but will also happily spend $1000/month on alcohol and gambling.

Great point. I actually put some thought into that exact thing before buying mine. I saw on my bank account the little summary said I spent $760 eating out last month and that’s my average. And that’s just crap that’s one and done. I eat it once and it’s over.

I said to myself why not just cut down on eating out and an avp will basically not be anymore on my expenses every month? And that’s what I’m doing. Money seems far more worth it on a product I’ll use everyday and love vs meals that just make me fat