Here’s What Early Testers Are Saying About Apple’s Vision Pro Headset

Is the Vision Pro Heavy?

Weight was one of the most consistent complaints among those who have actually strapped the Vision Pro to their cranium. Most who tested out the device got a hands-on experience for only 30 minutes, but in that small timeframe those who used it immediately noted that the headset was as heavy, if not more so than other VR headsets on the market. Apple noted that the headset’s frame is made out of an aluminum alloy, while its visor is made from glass. Compare that to products like the Meta Quest 2, composed mostly of plastic. It’s part of the reason why the device has an external 2-hour battery back connected by wire to a proprietary port. If that battery was contained in the headset, it would likely be even heavier. While some said it weighed about a pound, the same as the Quest 2, it only features a single back strap around the forehead, which may contribute to more discomfort after prolonged use. The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern called the headset “impressive, immersive, and heavy.”

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee gave the Vision Pro big props on eye and hand tracking, but he noted that while he strapped the headset he found it was “super well built” he questioned whether he would feel comfortable wearing it for the full two hours supported by the battery. Fellow tech vlogger Sara Dietschy questioned whether people would actually want to bring the device on an airplane at its current weight.

What’s With That External Battery?

The battery pack is connected to the headset through a proprietary connector that twists into place, but the battery itself includes a USB-C port to plug directly into the wall for a continuous charge. None of those using the headsets were made to walk around much at all, so its an open question whether the wire gets in the way at all. Any early user of VR knows just how annoying having a wire trailing from a headset to a wall or computer can be, so the best use of the headset while plugged in would be when sitting down.

Does the Vision Pro Overheat?

There’s a lot of sensors running continuously on the Vision Pro, but users noted they couldn’t hear any fans going on inside the Vision Pro. Reports from early 2022 noted that the product had to be delayed because of overheating issues. Those don’t seem as big a case here, though testers did not get to use the device for long. According to Patel, the headset sucks up air from the bottom and blows it out the top. Otherwise, nobody reported any problems with it running too hot on the face, but heat displacement is the kind of thing that requires rigorous testing under different conditions and loads.

Does the Vision Pro Work With Prescription Glasses?

Multiple reports said Apple was hosting an optometrist at its event to aid those users with eyeglasses setting up the Vision Pro. According to Wired’s Lauren Goode, an eye specialist scanned her eyeglasses to measure the lenses. Patel also wrote that specific Vision Pro-compatible lenses are needed to operate the device if you require glasses. Those lenses are reportedly being made by Apple partner Zeiss, and users need to order those special, magnetic-fitted lenses separately once the Vision Pro finally launches next year.

Apple has not publicly stated which specific prescription lenses would work with the headset, though people using contact lenses reported no issues.

How Real Was the FaceTime “Persona” Digital Twin?

Though some features were unavailable for demo, users did get to try out the FaceTime demo that featured a “Persona” digital twin of an Apple employee who appear when using the headset. Both Brownlee and Patel noted there was certainly some amount of uncanny valley with the whole thing. Some users noted that the Persona’s avatar was frozen save for the mouth and eyes. Goode described this digital twin as awkwardly “disembodied.” Though Apple promised users would be able to create their own persona by scanning their face with the headset, users weren’t able to demo that portion just yet.

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