I had access to an Apple Vision Pro 2 for three weeks. Not for controlled demos — for real work: code, video calls, design, project management. This is my opinion after actually using it.
What Improved Over the First Generation
The Vision Pro 2 fixes the most urgent problems from the original. Weight dropped significantly: from 600g to around 430g, which matters enormously when you're wearing it for hours. The new band redistributes weight better and after two hours you don't feel the forehead pressure the same way.
Battery life went from 2 hours to nearly 3.5 hours with the smaller external battery. It's not a full workday, but you're no longer staring anxiously at the cable every hour.
The M4 processor makes everything noticeably smoother. Gestures respond faster, apps open without perceptible lag, and multitasking with multiple floating windows no longer makes the device feel overloaded.
The display improved too. The mesh effect visible in the original when looking at fine details nearly disappears.
What I Tested in Real Work
Development and Code
I used Vision Pro 2 with VS Code on a virtual monitor for four consecutive days. Result: it works, but it's not superior to a physical monitor. The advantage is having infinite floating windows in space. The disadvantage is that typing code for hours causes more eye fatigue than a traditional monitor, even with comfort settings on.
What is genuinely useful for development: reviewing code in review mode without being tied to a desk. Reading documentation with the code right next to it. Pair programming on video calls where the other person can also see your shared screen.
Video Calls
Video calls are the most solid use case. The FaceTime integration with the AI-generated avatar no longer looks as uncanny — they improved facial movement representation a lot. But in Zoom and Meet, where most work calls happen, there's no comparable integration yet.
Design and Prototype Review
Viewing Figma prototypes in 3D space has real value. Especially for spatial interface design or reviewing component proportions. For traditional flat design, the advantage over a quality monitor is marginal.
The Price Is Still the Elephant in the Room
Vision Pro 2 starts at $3,499 USD. With the accessories you actually need for real work (the extended battery, the work band), you're at $4,000+.
Compared to a high-performance work setup (MacBook Pro M4 + quality external monitors), the Vision Pro 2 costs double for an experience that in many cases is inferior or equivalent.
Who Should Actually Buy It?
In complete honesty, it makes sense if:
- You build apps for visionOS: it's a direct work tool, not an option.
- You work in 3D design or XR regularly: the workspace is genuinely superior for that specific case.
- Your company pays for it: if it's not coming out of your pocket, the equation changes.
For the rest of developers, the honest answer is: not yet. The hardware is already good. The software and app ecosystem are still the bottleneck. Productivity apps aren't designed for the device — they're ported to it.
My Conclusion
Apple Vision Pro 2 is the best spatial computing headset that exists in 2026. It's also a product that's still searching for its primary reason for being for most users.
The hardware is ahead of the software. That's not unusual for Apple on version 2 of a new product. But at $3,499, paying for future potential is a personal bet that deserves clear-eyed evaluation.
I didn't buy it. But I completely understand why someone would.