When Apple announced the Vision Pro 2 on June 9th at WWDC, I rolled my eyes. The first one was a tech demo for rich people. $3,500 for a headset that gave you a headache after 30 minutes? No thanks. But Apple promised the second generation was lighter, faster, and actually useful. I decided to put my money where my skepticism was and pre-ordered one. It arrived last Monday.
I've been using it for two weeks. Every day. For work, for entertainment, for... boredom. Here's what I've learned.
The Screen Is Unbelievable
The micro-OLED panels in the Vision Pro 2 have 4K per eye. It's not a marketing gimmick. Watching the new Dune sequel on this thing is like having a private IMAX theater in your living room. The blacks are true black. The colors are vibrant but not oversaturated. I watched a documentary about the Amazon rainforest and genuinely forgot I wasn't there. The passthrough video is also improved — less grain, less lag. You can read your phone through the headset now, which was impossible before.
They Fixed the Weight (Mostly)
The original Vision Pro weighed about 650 grams. The new one is 550 grams. That's still heavy, but the redesigned strap distributes weight better. I can wear it for about 90 minutes before I feel the need to take it off. That's up from 30 minutes with the original. It's not perfect — my neck still gets tired — but it's usable. Apple also added a cooling fan that's nearly silent. I barely notice it.
Spatial Apps Are Finally Good
The killer app for me is the new Object Capture API. I scanned my living room with my iPhone and imported it into the headset. Now I can place virtual furniture, resize it, walk around it. I'm renovating my apartment and this is genuinely useful. I tried three different sofa models in my actual room. I knew instantly which one fit. That's not a gimmick — that's practical.
Gaming Is Still a Miss
I'm a gamer. I own a PS5, a gaming PC, and a Steam Deck. The Vision Pro 2 has some games — mostly ports of iPad games — but nothing that makes you go "wow." There's no native Call of Duty, no Elden Ring. Apple's trying to court developers, but it's not there yet. If you're buying this for gaming, don't. Wait for the third generation.
Battery Life Is Still Annoying
The external battery pack lasts about 2.5 hours. That's fine for a movie but not for a workday. I keep it plugged in most of the time. The battery pack itself is smaller than last year's, but it still dangles from a cord. It's not elegant. I'd love to see Apple integrate the battery into the headband or something. Maybe next year.
Should You Buy It?
If you have $3,499 burning a hole in your pocket and you're a developer, designer, or hardcore tech enthusiast — yes. It's the best mixed reality headset on the market, period. But for most people? Wait. Let the ecosystem mature. Let the price drop. The Vision Pro 2 is a glimpse of the future, but we're not living there yet. I'm keeping mine because I'm a nerd who loves gadgets. But I won't pretend it's a necessity. It's a luxury. A really cool luxury.
