Apple users are reportedly returning their Vision Pro headsets. Headache, eyestrain, and comfort and some of the top reasons users say they are taking back their Vision Pro headsets.
Apple Users Are Returning Their Vision Pro Headsets
For some purchasers of the Apple Vision Pro, the initial excitement has quickly waned.
It’s not surprising that there’s been an increase in reports on social media of Vision Pro owners expressing their intention to return their $3,500 headsets in recent days. Apple’s return policy allows for any product to be returned within 14 days of purchase — and for the first wave of Vision Pro buyers, that timeframe is now approaching.
Among the most frequently cited reasons for returns is discomfort. Users have reported experiencing headaches and motion sickness while using the headset. The weight distribution of the device, particularly its front-heavy nature, has been highlighted as another issue. Parker Ortolani, The Verge’s product manager, shared that he believed using the device caused a burst blood vessel in his eye. Similarly, another individual mentioned experiencing redness. (It’s worth noting that VR headset users have commonly reported symptoms like dry eyes and redness over the years.)
User Reaction to Apple Vision Pro
“Despite being as magical to use as I’d hoped, it was simply way too uncomfortable to wear even for short periods of time both due to the weight and the strap designs. I wanted to use it, but dreaded putting it on,” Ortolani stated, who also made a post about taking back the device.
“It’s just too expensive and unwieldy to even try to get used to the constant headaches and eye strain I was experiencing. I’ll be back for the next one.”
Designing Wearable Technology for Mass Consumption
This outcome isn’t unexpected. Each person’s body is unique, presenting a challenge when designing wearable technology for mass consumption. Comfort inevitably becomes a compromise, and its impact varies from person to person.
For instance, with smartwatches, comfort often hinges on the size and weight of the case relative to the wearer’s wrist. Similarly, with smart rings, issues can arise due to finger size or swelling. As for smart glasses and headsets, individuals with low nose bridges may find that the device slips off their faces easily or fails to effectively block out light.
User Dissatisfaction with the Vision Pro’s Productivity Capabilities
However, hardware concerns aren’t the only issues at play. Many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the Vision Pro’s productivity capabilities relative to its price. One individual mentioned on Threads feeling dizzy when viewing Figma screens and found the device unsuitable for their work. Another engineer shared on the social media platform X that the coding experience failed to meet their expectations, leading to headaches due to focusing issues.
“If I’m not using this for productivity, and if I don’t love it for entertainment, and if there aren’t enough games to play on it – I just can’t justify keeping it,” a Reddit user wrote.
For Carter Gibson, a senior manager working on community management and moderation at Google, it’s in the finer details. Things such as futzing around with Windows and file management are deal breakers when it comes to productivity.
“It’s difficult to multitask between ‘windows’,” Gibson told me in an exchange on Threads. “Several file types simply aren’t supported on the Vision Pro. I also can’t see how creating a slide in the VP would be less energy than doing so w/a mouse and keyboard — even if does feel like you’re in Minority Report.”
The Future of the Vision Pro Remains Uncertain
The impact of this vocal subset of early adopters on the future of the Vision Pro remains uncertain. While many individuals expressing their intention to return the device also expressed interest in trying a second-generation Vision Pro, others highlighted that the primary issue lies not with the technology itself but rather with the absence of a compelling application or discomfort.
Additionally, the extent of this phenomenon is difficult to ascertain. While users are sharing their experiences on social media, we lack concrete data on the actual return rate, as well as Apple’s internal expectations for the Vision Pro.
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