Apple Vision Pro arrived as the company’s first foray into a dedicated mixed‑reality headset, priced around $3,500 and weighing enough to make extended wear uncomfortable. Early reviewers praised the Mac Virtual Display and immersive video playback, yet the device felt unfinished—streaming apps lack native support, typing remains clunky, and battery life forces brief sessions. Its 23‑minute battery and 8‑kilogram chassis hurt daily use.

Critics trace the headset’s rough edges to indecisive leadership. Tim Cook championed AR but reportedly left major product decisions to senior executives, many of whom doubted a heavy, high‑price device. Former head of hardware engineering John Ternus initially opposed Vision Pro, a stance that may have dampened internal conviction and resulted in the half‑baked experience seen today, raising internal doubts.

Vision Air, a lighter, cheaper sibling, has been shelved, and visionOS 27 is already in development. With Ternus slated to become CEO in September, any substantive redesign won’t surface before 2028. Until Apple commits resources to ergonomics and developer incentives, the Vision Pro will remain a niche curiosity rather than a mainstream platform today.