I Tried Apple’s Vision Pro Headset: A Hands-on Reaction | WSJ

Apple’s Vision Pro headset combines virtual reality and augmented reality for the price of $3,500. The mixed-reality headset is the tech company’s first major new product in a decade and does not include controllers as your eyes are the cursor and your fingers are the mouse buttons.
WSJ’s Joanna Stern shares her impressions after using Apple’s newest product to make 3-D FaceTime calls, watch videos and more.
0:00 Trying the Vision Pro
0:55 Wearing the headset
2:12 Looking through the headset
3:26 What you can do with the headset
Tech Things With Joanna Stern
Everything is now a tech thing. In creative and humorous videos, WSJ senior personal tech columnist Joanna Stern explains and reviews the products, services and trends that are changing our world.
#Apple #VisionPro #WSJ

[@theEDMdragon]

Feels like WSJ knew that everyone had seen the headset footage a million times at this point, so they just made theirs as short and brief as possible. Well played.

[@KubanKevin]

I have to give Apple credit. They are never the first to do anything anymore, but what they do, they excel at it. I hope they continue to upgrade the hardware with new iterations.

[@therealdeal6659]

To be fair though, they rarely really were the ones to do things for the first time. They wait for other companies to try it out first and flop, and then they learn from it.

[@nicknorthcutt7680]

Exactly

[@FP19487]

With it costing 3.5k, it better do. No other manufacturers can justified that kind of price. Or not yet. Thankfully with this, others can now charge at least 2k with more competitive products while still feels confident with the market that Apple has now set up.

[@JiPOPPIN]

It's not about when you do it, it's how you do it. having a first badge with faulty product will only bring harms to the brand.

[@lolsucka9073]

​@@FP19487 it already has some competitors in that price range. It is certainly not in the same market as 1.5k vr headset

[@SaithusX]

Finally a non over enthusiastic first preview of this thing that seemed down to Earth. Thanks!

[@attaboyabhi]

seriously !

[@thinker1491]

True that, few people have actually talked about what it does and how it works

[@julcthe]

soo true

[@JanGoh-jb5ge]

I dunno, most of the reviews I've been watching/listening to have been complaining about similar things. But hey, Gen 1.

[@japhy6536]

love this presenter. she's quirky, smart and funny!

[@themoderns1445]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3WaYayqh66gnNE

[@Slainbabyyc]

she is everything i hate about legacy media she is a gormless uncharismatic shrew

[@ejicon3099]

And beautiful

[@RaySmith-zg7od]

😏😏😏

[@kfx3907]

Typical Apple sheep what so ever.

[@dudethatscool]

Among other reasons, I am willing to bet that the next version of the VisionPro in 2025/2026 will see a MASSIVE price drop. As this is a first-gen Pro device, Apple is setting a high price ceiling, so that when the next one comes out and is at $1500-2000, we will all be 'amazed' and demand will increase.

[@hackinglongevity]

I think this version is primarily for developers, but Apple didn't want to market it specifically as that for obvious reasons.

[@aynrandfan7454]

or some thugs will just mass steal these from liberal run cities like SF and LA with apple stores...like other apple stores hit by these shoplifters and lack of any punishment

[@aeontars]

@@hackinglongevity Yeah the idea is this first generation or so will mainly be used by companies developing software for the headset. Then when they have a ton of useful apps from third parties on it they'll release a cheaper version for consumers.

[@franciscosalcido8951]

This is a Pro device and isn't marketed for the general public. They're actively saying it's for developers and it's the first of its kind so why should it be $1500? I'm excited to spend the rest of the year learning to code in Swift, SwiftUI and Xcode so I can bring my ideas up virtually. It's not made for people that want to just run The Walking Dead and Beat Saber

[@garymaya1767]

my car didn't even cost that much. LOL.suckers.

[@staringatthesun861]

Quality review, admitting that it seems "dystopian" and "isolating" while also highlighting cool features of the product. Which pretty much mirrors my reaction, that this thing obviously has appeal, but could radically change our society if it becomes too common or is used in excess.

[@allout_fun]

This is very true considering the fact how iPhone even in general has made people isolated in a real world environment everybody is always on this phone even at dinner. it's shocking If it gets out to the general public expect no one to talk to you like we used to

[@Joso997]

dystopian and isolating is culture problem not product problem. eventually culture will catch up

[@frempy4426]

⁠@@Joso997 You ever read Heidegger’s “The Question Concerning Technology”?

[@JayFrosting]

They said the same thing about radio and television.

[@stillsober19]

@@Joso997 … what? Where do you think the isolation came from? You genuinely think people were as isolated before the social media / tech boom?

[@TheVeggieIsWatching]

I really like this journalist pacing, quirkness, and fun. the video editing also really good.

[@htvtc21]

and that's why you people keep getting lied to and misled cos you care about trivial things instead of truth

[@TheVeggieIsWatching]

@@htvtc21 get over yourself - there was nothing else she could have presented that wasn't already made public by Apple themselves. Go outside touch grass, it's gonna do you good.

[@yungapplewhite]

@@htvtc21 so called free thinkers when good editing

[@GaminHasard]

Yes

[@epie6]

Yeah, Joanna s energy is always calm and clear..❤

[@witzigevideos9858]

Be honest, Joanna Stern is the best tech reviewer on the internet

[@madhavyu]

Since I am being honest, she is in my top 5 but not the best.

[@hfislwpa]

MKBHD is the king in my heart! Although I love Joanna's content too 😄

[@gambitgambino1560]

Who is she?

[@neoneherefrom5836]

honestly who are you

[@SorminaESar]

Really, how about Zoe Thomas? You're like big fans of Joanna, right? It's good👍

[@MichaelGoldfrad]

"Behold: battery pack footage" 😂

[@rasheedafsheen3202]

Right 🤣😊

[@jeffmorrison2915]

The price tag is so modest that I'm going to get one of these for my dog.

[@Gover_Studio]

Thank you for the quality and honesty of the content 😊

[@mrd.808]

Let me know when apple completes the package with a snorkel tube😂😂😂😂😂

[@willip111]

Aka iBreath air max

[@BaritoneDeLaTorre]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@goobfilmcast4239]

As a happy loner and a dedicated misanthrope, I fully approve of this product.

[@RaySmith-zg7od]

Another loner, approved✅

[@AnakinSkywalker_1858]

Approved

[@xFlared]

This product is designed to isolate and control society. To make us weaker and more submissive. You're a perfect candidate.

[@cedricatmoore]

Great video Review! Thank You!

[@MiamiCoffee2023]

Simply put, Joanna Stern is completely amazing !!

[@KlutchAndJerel]

You really just glanced over the most impressive thing: eye control and hand gestures. So many other ppl who demo’d it say that they were blown away how accurate and solid it felt. If the way you move through the OS feels amazing on solid, that is great to hear.

[@evolicious]

Not for anyone that has tried Quest's handtracking and UI.....................

[@KlutchAndJerel]

@@evolicious Nilay (TheVerge) said vision pro made the quest 2 feel like a midrange android phone on your face. Vision pro is just next level. I like my quest 2, but there’s no denying vision pro does everything better. Just for much much more money

[@lesliegraham8478]

So cool and as usual a great video. Thanks

[@salperezate]

Joanna!!! Love your reviews 😄

[@armenstaubach9276]

As usual you made an unbiased video, thanks 😊 One question though: how was the sound quality? Did you need AirPods for that?

[@pizzainc.1465]

Probably not, unless apple was lying.

[@harnageaa]

the airpods are so you connect them to the headset. The sound the headset it produce can be heard by others. THey specifically shown the airpods only in the airplane, BECAUSE, others will hear your movie or whatever sound u play.

[@joegideon8461]

First review (I've seen, at least) that shows this leaving marks on your face. After only a half hour. I would like to know how Apple intends to make the Vision Pro sanitary. It will definitely pick up skin oils and make up, in addition to hair, hair oils and products. How do you keep this clean?

[@martymarl4602]

didm't she say 15-30mins? they will eventually HAVE to give an optional overhead strap for longer use

[@N1withaskillet]

They will sell you new seals, batteries, bands, etc... that is how.

[@N1withaskillet]

​@@martymarl4602 they showed the overhead strap in use during the dad recording his kids scene in the announcement. Looks horrible.

[@simontemplar404]

lick it?

[@Blarsfengard]

Excellent point I am now using my fourth pair of Beats headset for that very reason, they break they get dirty they are hard to clean and eventually look horrible, I can buy a $500 pair of headsets as needed but a $4K (tax and shipping) google computer should last more than a couple of years.

[@kjhman]

By far the best video on the vision pro headset from a real consumers standpoint. I like this chick.

[@badabing8884]

Definitely want to try it.

[@occounty]

Great video! "roll the footage" 😂 love it! My favorite tech reviewer

[@meesc3556]

Reminds me of the screens in the movie Minority Report…. But better. The spatial “monitors” look pretty awesome.

[@Praveen-or5ce]

Was waiting for this.

[@royboon2128]

can you say the quality of the ar is it really like advertised?

[@nassir5442]

The only best review

[@james45478]

Just as important as the product is to this segment, i think it gives a big preview of how they envision how a self driving car integrates and interacts with occupants.

[@rudyrudelaemmerhirt]

Very good review, I understand apple not allowing filming because if they aren’t fit perfectly for the reviewers like they will do custom in the apple stores they would look goofy, maybe the next version will balance some more of the weight to the back of the headband

[@theBoy_69_]

do you mean by next version still this vision pro thats coming next year or the gen. 2 maybe coming 2025? do you thing they will change it till launch? The weight is the only thing that slows my excitment a little down

[@thomasmabika7291]

Well, why not have Tim Cook or any Apple employee be filmed with a headset that perfectly fits?

[@Ben-eh1qt]

Always somebody with an excuse for what Apple does lol.

[@rudyrudelaemmerhirt]

@@thomasmabika7291 there is a lot of that already in the presentation, why would that be any different then a commercial?

[@chirag4382]

@@Ben-eh1qt yeah the need to constantly defend the company from where they bought their overpriced product's.

[@Mohamedahmed-jz7xd]

My new favourite tech youtuber 👏✌

[@tokyodrifttt]

Very good review. Short and insightful. The apple watch bit made me laugh.

[@Buharialtinee]

Thanks for sharing

[@silverfish764]

WSJ content always top notch. watching Joanna from so long. She is great as a tech reviewer.

[@user-yt3qs8qu2r]

I think this product will be great for pandemics due to isolation or gaming

[@davidwelty9763]

Please tell me the future is not more pandemics and lockdowns…

[@user-yt3qs8qu2r]

@@davidwelty9763 i don't think they will, i hope we learn a lot from this one....hopefully we will be prepared

[@Jack-rp6zy]

Given how much more connected the world is getting and how much humans are encroaching on wilderness areas, it's probably not unthinkable to see another one in our lifetimes.

[@davidwelty9763]

@@Jack-rp6zy if you believe this last one was natural (they still have not produced an intermediary host that facilitated the jump from bat to Human) but that aside, pandemics are not at all uncommon. They come along every 20 years or so and kill thousands to millions. In the past we have never had lockdowns. If lockdowns are the new normal our civilization is in big trouble.

[@joshhoffman1975]

Great review, thanks! ❤😎👊👍

[@joshs3916]

Very neat piece of tech. If I was a developer I’d be buying one as soon as it was available, but I’ll be waiting to see what Apple comes up with in the coming years.

[@smileandlaughs]

Awesome as usual Joanna of WSJ! Great presentation and insight.

[@cesarbattistini]

I started saving now for the second gen Apple vision pro. Not the cheaper one, the second gen pro version.

[@JavonGrim]

Fair review. 👏👏

[@nuevoinvolve]

Great report! ❤

[@williamcousert]

What did you think about the FOV? Is it much improved over the Quest 2? One of the things I dislike about my Quest 2 is it seems like I'm looking through a pair of binoculars. Is the Vision Pro any better?

[@mr.grumps3544]

That is my question too and no one that's tried it has mentioned it yet... You'd think that would be one of the major talking points about it

[@laartwork]

Ben from Roadtovr said it was between quest 2 and psvr2. Called it standard

[@Kevintendo]

@@laartworkdayumn… $3500 for standard FOV?? 😭

[@shuttzi9878]

​@@Kevintendo"Larger fov has so many challenges and trade off that it's kind of amazing we have anyone working on it at all. * Lens design to handle the larger fov * Lens clarity outside the sweet spot * Lens warping * Headset weight increases * Decreased ~~ppi~~ ppd * OR more pixels to render for the same ~~ppi~~ ppd" Apple want Vision Pro to have utmost clarity for u to be able to see and read everything that it can render so giving it a standard FOV was a good choice to achieve that

[@thompsonnoel]

​@@shuttzi9878as with everything apple does. It's best and smartest to wait till gen 2. 2nd gen ipod, 3rd gen iphone, ipad 2,... except the watch... the watch will always be ridiculous. Hopefully they'll figure out a way to expand fov by the next one.

[@user-le4vk3ye8l]

Other than a little bit steep in price for myself and also no release date for the UK, the Vision Pro seems to lack the ability to make apps for itself, within the headset. If they brought XCode, Reality Kit and got Unity to develop a version of the software for the headset, I would have reason to buy. I need to be able to use the device to work on 3D apps where the headset can really benefit developers. It's got an M2. It could run Unity if they enabled the headset to run mac apps.

[@letsdiveintoweb]

Superb review loved it ❤❤❤🎉😂🎉❤❤❤

[@abelardogreen]

Does it come with a snorkel?

[@kimberlytran2671]

My top criteria (as a lay not-too-techy person) for buying something like this are practicality, lightweight, battery life and cost (of course much more)... I'm looking forward to the much-gossiped Apple glasses... so far what meets my criteria for AR is the XReal Air 2 Pro

[@nesseihtgnay9419]

Pretty awesome tech

[@richiegrey5377]

I like your reports Joanne… all of your Reviews, very good!

[@ChiSa123]

I love Joanna's sarcasm! 😂

[@TheStringBreaker]

*This is revolutionary! Analogous to when they first launched the iPhone!*

[@bishbash24]

I remember when the last 3 iphones came out people were saying how apple lacked any innovation and were basically making the same product over and over. I'm glad to see that finally after 15 years of the smartphone era, we enter the AR era. And out of all the smartphone companies to make the first move, it's that same company that gave us the same phone for the last 3 years.

[@tedhu262]

How do you think they got the pile of cash to fund this R&D. From the last 3 boring IPhones that gave them resources, time, experience building out apple silicon

[@bishbash24]

@@tedhu262 Exactly!

[@OnlineBro203]

Agreed

[@zynga726]

I'm glad Apple got in the game. I hope this helps more people to buy this type of hardware so they can get cheaper and better.

[@evolicious]

lol, it's vaporware to keep their investors form boiling over with all the cash they are bleeding. XR is a dead platform. Ask Anyone working with the Varjo XR3, MS hololense (and the military-adopted IVAS), and the Quest Pro. It's nothing but e-waste built to lie to investors on the innovative health of a company. Real innovation would need to be in modern AI, battery power efficiency (and TDP), reusable and environmentally efficient materials, synergy, networking, and optical applications (tracking, AI, point cloud photogrammtery, etc.). Truth is, Apple doesn't have the talent or the engineers to achieve anything that could possibly work in innovative technologies. All of that talent goes to companies that cater to better wages, bleeding-edge technologies, and commercial sector money. Apple's marketshare is dwindling while their stock is artificially inflated, and their technology divisions continue to fail to provide viable and competitive products that can get the interest of the commercial sector.

[@VDVM.MRNGSTR]

I can’t wait!

[@attaboyabhi]

Best Vision Pro preview by far !

[@ighor]

So far, answers to real issues with other headsets have been ignored in this video. Are there any instances of blinking, visible pixels, or blurring? Any instances of UI shaking or misalignment with real objects during head movements in AR mode? Is the eye lens distance alignment both automatic and comfortable? Can other people hear the internal audio?

[@jw8350]

No

[@andrewg1014]

Yes I will buy it

[@SparrowHawk2009]

4:18 Yes, absolutely...!

[@Netryon]

Can you try ti link every Gimli just because you need him for this hourly rate?

[@mollygundies6966]

Saw the keynote presentation. I'll approach this, maybe, when they have it refined to a pair of glasses. Maybe. The clunk watch on my wrist NEVER held any appeal to me. But I can see where this might be really helpful in a remote situation, like someone giving medical aid to an injured hiker when the doctor is elsewhere, or showing what something looks like when you're hunting for it or examining it in a remote area, or guiding someone how to do something like woodworking or repairing something. It could be an interesting teaching tool. Having the expanded view of how something was put together in your vision while working on it and having free hands at the same time could be enormously helpful. The principle of this could be astonishing to astronauts or recovery divers. I've never been a gamer, so that aspect holds no interest for me. I wonder how the latency is. But to wear this while generally computing or collaborating? Nah.

[@Co-opSource]

Decent review., thank you. A little heavy on the snark re photos of usage and light on depth into experience of strengths & limitations.

[@Jon-bt4zv]

But it’s still a headset? Of course it’s still a headset. I didn’t expect a new body part or something

[@Spud_E_Buddy]

She lost my respect when she said that. I guess the writer's strike is impacting the WSJ as well, lol

[@lucaskp16]

@@Spud_E_Buddy its a good point actually that is why you need to also include the context of her skin becoming red after wearing it for 30 min. because people still believe that some day wearing something like this for 12 hours a day will be a thing and that ain't gonna happen unless this thing become a lot lighter.

[@lucaskp16]

i mean to show how no matter how much better it is you are not gonna be able to wear it 10 hours a day because of the pain of wearing it after a while like all other vr

[@williamcousert]

As light as it is, it's still too heavy to wear all day. I want something that is as comfortable to wear as a pair of swim goggles, with an all day battery.

[@Spud_E_Buddy]

@@lucaskp16 You may be right, but in my opinion, the actual people that are going to shell out $3,500 for this device are VERY much aware that it's a headset, and exactly what that entails.

[@yuming2512]

bettery with lightning port?

[@goldenchlen]

nice, amazing video

[@Striker-uo8vg]

Bro what is this price you can do all on a phone or oculus

[@davidaltizer]

Joana is the best

[@BrandonToy1]

If this could adjust to become glasses for near or far sighted people as well this would be amazing

[@justplainlawr]

Joanna is a real one. Been reading/watching her reviews from the Engadget days. Fantastic review, well done!

[@K1RTB]

Dave2D said the latency was crazy low. Does that mean you could juggle with the Vision Pro on?

[@idubgrunge1994]

Is the power can be replace with a power bank ?

[@phillipxxx]

Can i make calls like a cell phone without wifi?

[@johnfr2389]

What is the FOV?

[@kavalere]

The video game Heavy Rain provided an example of how this would work, but the headset was basically a pair of sunglasses. If the headset can become that, then most people with an Apple ecosystem will have the Vision Pro for sure, and many, many others.

[@BenSkyLakewood]

Thanks

[@AllenLawthfar]

Can someone adjust the display for there vision? (I wear glasses)

[@Voustag]

I LOVE YOU JOANNAAAAAAAA

[@montycaden9330]

Hey ik this is random but I’m visually impaired and can’t see much. I’ve tried other devices and they all suck and are not worth the price. Was wondering how you think these will work with people that are visually impaired.

[@apracticekid]

I’m buying it as a collectors item.

[@a0groovy]

this needs to be the size of glasses to sale like phones, this is like the new vr set with og, just like in back to the future kids. when i saw that i knew that person knew that would be the future as i

[@imjody]

It's pretty sweet, but they need to get the price down by like 60%.

[@Nookiezilla]

Don´t worry, it´s the first Gen.

[@pixelfairy]

This one's aimed at devs. Note the low battery life.

[@imjody]

@@Nookiezilla even for first gen, this feels like $1k too much. But for the masses to jump in, they'd need to get it to $1499 maximum. Lots of work ahead.

[@Nookiezilla]

@@imjody true Mate, its like the first flatscreen tvs back in the old times 😄

[@desertsoldier41]

@@Nookiezilla Except this is not the first personal VR headset. We have had them for ten years now.

[@yeh_link]

Comparing with laptop, tablet and smartphone, it's not comfortable using for many hours, so the concept that Apple Inc. demonstrated is hardly replacing them.

[@mfridmanyt]

Can you take it skiing?

[@rumanleo]

It's so stupid that anchor from ABC news got to film while trying it whereas others more knowledgeable aren't allowed. Must be that Disney partnership

[@PrPaPeCECE20]

Will wait for the next version, not this one yet .

[@deadlypalms]

The separate battery pack is a bold choice - however, why stop there? Why not put some of the hardware in there and lighten the load? What about connecting to your Macbook (etc) to farm out some of the processing demands? It looks super nice, but I hate the idea of a heavy object on my head - other than books or a cool steel hat.

[@trevorpeacock4503]

So they actually had a years long batter of putting even more powerful computing in a external pack but decided not to do it ultimately.

[@allenwalker1123]

I still don't get the point of this device if I only use it to watch media online. Like for say, what is the difference of using it to watch a movie over watching the same movie with my TV？ I have a Meta Quest 2 myself, and I have used it to connect to my laptop and played movies with the Bigscreen app. Through that experience, I do feel like that I was in an actual threater, which was kinda cool, but that was it. So my question is, can this Vision Pro do something similar, or even better？And if watching media is my first and only priority, does this device worth that pricetag for users like me？Thank you.

[@ronhudson3730]

It’s a headset. It’s a set that sits on your head. It’s a game changer. It will sell out on day-one despite or because of the price. Your paise was not overshadow by your attitude.

[@shinygoomy2460]

wish you talked more about fov, heat, sound etc... in your experience.

[@ellyjelly23]

I'm still confused on how pinching your fingers and scrolling with them works? How does the tech know you're doing that? Do you have to hold them up in front of the lens?

[@2L3L]

it has like sensors all around it including lidar apparently, so as long as your hands are like roughly anywhere in front of you it works

[@USERNAME-pn3gb]

there are multiple cameras at the bottom of the headset, which capture your hands&fingers&more

[@rugpull2109]

This is actually the best way to have "hands free". This eliminates all those who walk with their phone in their hand and who drives with their phone in their hand.

[@bluefox9er]

And instead walk around with a scuba mask on their face

[@jofert015]

Wonder who walks on the wrong side of the street. Happens here often people bumping in each other. Always blame person who don't know what side of street to walk

[@galaeron]

Forget about the headset, this video was comedic gold. Loved it.

[@glanerao1356]

This gadget lights up the world 🔥

[@LaRuta-sk8rr]

I can see a benefit for say mechanics working on repairs on a new machine or a new model, where you have the real thing and superimpose the digital version. But as is, I don't see mass appeal.

[@SteveMorton]

Will it work for someone who is blind in one eye?

[@veronicalee9363]

Hopefully soon it will get to the size like a pair of normal glasses

[@Nextburjalarab]

I find it interesting that Joanna is the only person who reported a red head A red nose Feeling sick Etc Etc

[@paulb9453]

Joanna is one of the best, her opinions carry more weight than most, no doubt one of WSJs most precious assets. Oh, and the Apple product looks interesting too, but not for me, yet.

[@christophergreen9928]

Totally agree with you. With Joanna, I can always expect a review that is honest and fair; paired with a little bit of sass. Love it.

[@pizzainc.1465]

It wasn’t really designed for middle class consumers, hence “pro”. Soon they will probably make it cheaper, after developers make a large app library.

[@SoCoolScience]

Are we all going to buy this next year? Not unless they have a payment plan!

[@Anthony-dj4nd]

For $3500 thing what's the resolution?

[@schlettyb1]

4K for each eye

[@eastmanwebb5477]

Apple should offer an optional adjustable band that goes over the top of your head to take the pressure off of the bridge of your nose.

[@chinmoys2015]

Beautiful ❤️

[@365TrustNo1]

I’ll wait for the Apple Vision SE