Vision Pro M5 review: It’s time for Apple to make some tough choices
With the recent updates to Apple’s visionOS 26 and the introduction of refreshed Vision Pro hardware, there’s renewed interest in Apple’s ambitious foray into augmented reality with its Vision Pro headset. Launched in early 2024, the device has garnered a mixed reception, leaving users both captivated and somewhat disillusioned. Despite its impressive technological capabilities, the Vision Pro seems to be struggling with a lack of compelling content and developer enthusiasm. While Apple has made strides to enhance the user experience and attract more developers, these efforts may not be sufficient to ensure the headset’s long-term success.
The Vision Pro offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing users to engage with content in innovative ways. Early adopters have enjoyed using the headset for activities such as watching movies during travel, creating virtual workspaces at home, and exploring a variety of games and educational applications. However, the initial excitement is tempered by concerns over the overall ecosystem surrounding the device. The available content remains sparse, and developer support has been described as tepid, leading to worries that the Vision Pro may not be able to maintain its momentum in a competitive market. Users have expressed a desire for more engaging applications and experiences to fully leverage the device’s capabilities, but the current offerings fall short of expectations.
As Apple continues to roll out updates and improvements, the future of the Vision Pro remains uncertain. While the technology itself is groundbreaking, the success of the headset ultimately hinges on the availability of diverse and high-quality content, as well as robust developer engagement. Without a vibrant ecosystem, the Vision Pro risks fading into obscurity, despite its potential to revolutionize how we interact with digital media. In this evolving landscape, it will be crucial for Apple to not only enhance the hardware but also foster a thriving community of developers and content creators to ensure the Vision Pro realizes its full potential.
With the recent releases of visionOS 26 and newly refreshed Vision Pro hardware, it’s an ideal time to check in on Apple’s Vision Pro headset—a device I was simultaneously amazed and disappointed by when it launched in early 2024.
I still like the Vision Pro, but I can tell it’s hanging on by a thread. Content is light, developer support is tepid, and while Apple has taken action to improve both, it’s not enough, and I’m concerned it might be too late.
When I got a Vision Pro, I used it a lot: I
watched movies
on planes and in hotel rooms, I walked around my house placing application windows and testing out
weird new ways of working
. I tried all the neat games and educational apps, and I watched all the immersive videos I could get ahold of. I even tried my hand at developing my own applications for it.
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