Apple Vision Pro Headsets Face Returns Due to Comfort and Eye Strain Concerns
Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro headsets are facing a wave of returns as customers express concerns over comfort and eye strain. With a price tag of $3,500, these headsets were expected to revolutionize the virtual reality (VR) experience, but it seems that they have fallen short of users’ expectations.
Comfort has been cited as one of the main reasons for returns. Many users have reported experiencing headaches and motion sickness while wearing the headset. The weight of the device, which is mostly front-loaded, has also been a common complaint. Parker Ortolani, The Verge’s product manager, even claimed that using the device led to a burst blood vessel in his eye. Another user mentioned experiencing redness after using the headset.
However, it is important to note that discomfort is a subjective experience and varies from person to person. Apple’s challenge lies in creating a wearable that caters to the mass market while considering individual differences. This is not a new issue in the wearable industry, as smartwatches and smart rings have faced similar challenges with sizing and fit.
Apart from comfort concerns, users have also expressed disappointment with the lack of productivity offered by the Vision Pro headsets. Some users found that looking at Figma screens made them feel dizzy, while others felt that the device was not applicable to their work. One engineer even mentioned that focusing issues caused headaches during coding. These concerns raise questions about the value proposition of the Vision Pro headsets, especially considering their hefty price tag.
Carter Gibson, a senior manager at Google, highlighted the importance of finer details in productivity. He mentioned difficulties in multitasking between “windows” and the lack of support for certain file types on the Vision Pro. Gibson also questioned whether creating a slide on the headset would be more energy-efficient than using a traditional mouse and keyboard setup.
It remains to be seen how this vocal subset of early adopters will impact the future of the Vision Pro headsets. While some users have expressed their intention to return the device, they also mentioned their eagerness to try a second-generation version in the future. Others believe that the issue lies not in the technology itself, but in the lack of a compelling application or improved comfort.
The extent of this problem is still unknown, as social media users are speaking out but the actual return rate is unclear. Apple’s internal expectations for the Vision Pro headsets are also unknown. However, it is clear that Apple will need to address these comfort and productivity concerns if they want to win over a wider audience and establish the Vision Pro as a must-have device in the VR market.
In conclusion, while the Apple Vision Pro headsets have generated excitement and anticipation, they have also faced criticism and returns due to comfort and eye strain issues. The challenge for Apple lies in creating a wearable device that caters to individual differences while delivering a compelling and productive VR experience. Only time will tell if Apple can overcome these challenges and establish the Vision Pro as a game-changer in the VR industry.