When Apple announced the Vision Pro in June 2023, many people started saving money in order to afford it and making room in their offices. However, the product didn’t hit the market until February 2024, and it was only available in the U.S.
Despite its limited availability, people from other countries traveled to the U.S. or found ways to have the Vision Pro delivered to their homes.
Xataka On spoke to four early adopters to learn about their experiences with the Vision Pro five months after its release. We wanted to see whether it met their expectations.
A Big Case of Initial Hype
Marc Alonso is a 48-year-old communication and content manager at Rossellimac, Apple’s premium distributor in Barcelona, Spain.
He was one of the first buyers and purchased the Vision Pro at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York City. While waiting in line, he had the chance to meet Tim Cook and even got him to sign the box, turning it into a sort of relic and making the purchase an even more memorable experience for him.
On the left, Marc with his Vision Pro. In the middle, Tim Cook signing his box on release day. On the right, Marc with the signed box. Image: Marc Alonso
“At first, there was a lot of hype,” Marc says. “I’ve really enjoyed using the Vision Pro. It might be one of the products I’ve enjoyed using the most, almost as much as the iPhone. But to be honest, the initial hype has faded and I don’t use it very often now.”
Alonso uses the Vision Pro mainly for work but finds it hard to incorporate it into his daily routine. “I have lots of video calls every day, and wearing the Vision Pro during those calls... I don’t do it. It’s too eye-catching, and I don’t think it’s appropriate,” he explains.
Screenshot of Alonso's Vision Pro, with Xataka's website opened in Safari, Apple Music, Mail, Things... Image: Marc Alonso
During video calls, others see a digital recreation of the person wearing the Vision Pro, which is a successful representation but feels a bit eerie.
Daniel Sánchez, a 40-year-old from Madrid, Spain, specializes in selling Apple products and even hosts a podcast about the brand, called Manzanas Enfrentadas (“Opposing Apples”).
He had high hopes for the Vision Pro given that he’s both a fan of virtual reality and Apple. So, he asked a family member traveling to the U.S. to bring it back for him.
However, Sánchez admits that he doesn’t use the device as often as he thought he would: “I don’t use it every day, but two or three times a week. I’m very conscious of its potential, and if something interests me, I try it out right away.”
Daniel Sánchez with his Vision Pro on. Image: Daniel Sánchez
One of the aspects that Sánchez values the most is its high audiovisual quality: “In this field, there’s no rival for viewing content with the quality and sound that practically simulates a movie theater.”
Alexis Espinosa, a 39-year-old doctor from Badajoz, Spain who lives in Cádiz, bought the Vision Pro on the Spanish second-hand market barely a month after its launch in the U.S. His experience has been positive, especially in the multimedia area: “When I’m alone, I watch shows and movies there. In fact, I consume more shows and movies than before when I could do anything else if I was alone. Now I enjoy it more.”
Alexis Espinosa, with and without the Vision Pro on. Image: Alexis Espinosa
Espinosa has spotted a feature that has pleasantly surprised him: the display of spatial photos, a depth effect that incorporates the recently announced visionOS 2, still in beta.
“When you get used to seeing photos like this, you never want to see flat photos on your iPad or TV again. Even old photos from when I was little, with this new effect in giant size... I get excited when I see them,” he says.
However, Espinosa has also found limitations in using the device for productivity. “Sometimes it’s a little frustrating to want to use it for something and realize that it’s not optimal for that. Watching shows and movies or going through the photo library is great, it’s fluid, it’s natural, but when I want to use it for productivity, I have mixed feelings.”
David González, 43, is a systems auditor in Alajuela, Costa Rica. He traveled to Florida specifically to buy the Vision Pro on day one. Despite the time that has passed, he remains enthusiastic: “Every time I use it, I find something new, something different, a new app, a new function.”
David González with his Vision Pro on. Image: David González
However, he admits that he uses it less than he expected, even though he has grown accustomed to it. “Considering it’s such an expensive device, I should be using it more. It’s not like the iPhone, which is integrated into my daily life. Using the Vision Pro requires me to set aside time to sit down and isolate myself for a while. It all depends on my free time.”
Using It Around Others
A common theme among the interviewees is the challenge of using the Vision Pro in social or family settings. Alonso says, “I don’t live alone. I have a wife and children. Despite claims that it doesn’t isolate you, the impression it gives at home is that you’re on your own. That’s not the example I want to set for my children, to isolate myself when I’m with my family or other people.”
Sánchez echoes this sentiment, saying, “Even if you’re a Vision Pro nerd, when you’re with me, you’re with me, not with the Vision Pro. They create a barrier, which is why I don’t wear it in those environments unless I need it for something specific. And that might be about four times a year.”
Espinosa adds, “My wife gets upset if I use it when I’m with her. No matter how many times I try to recreate her external screen, it feels very exclusive. Maybe it’s a cultural thing, and in time, it will change, but at the moment, that’s how it is."
Alexis’ Persona. This is how someone sees him during a video call when he’s using his Vision Pro. Image: Alexis González
Despite these limitations, everyone sees future potential in this device, or at least in its concept. González concludes, “I’m sympathetic. This is a new category for Apple, and it takes time for more features and apps to arrive. That’s normal. Now I’m excited about visionOS 2. I’m looking forward to being able to install it.”
The experiences of these four early adopters reflect initial enthusiasm that has moderated over time. While they all appreciate the technical capabilities and quality of the Vision Pro, they find it difficult to fully integrate it into their daily lives, especially in social settings.
However, they remain hopeful that future updates and developments will expand the device’s capabilities and justify its high price.
This article was written by Javier Lacort and originally published in Spanish on Xataka.
Image | Marc Alonso | Daniel Sánchez | Alexis Espinosa | David González
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