Launched in early 2024 with massive hype, the Apple Vision Pro has now been on the market for over a year and a half. With the release of visionOS 2 and a slowly growing app library, the big question remains: is the $3,499 spatial computer worth buying in late 2025? For most people, the answer is still a “no,” but for a specific group of users, it remains a magical glimpse into the future.
What Has Improved? The Impact of visionOS 2
The launch of visionOS 2 in mid-2025 brought some much-needed quality-of-life improvements.
- Mac Virtual Display: This was the biggest upgrade. Instead of a single 4K virtual monitor, users can now create a massive, ultra-wide display, significantly improving productivity for those who want to use the headset as a monitor replacement.
- Spatial Photos: The Photos app can now use machine learning to convert your existing 2D photos into immersive 3D spatial photos, which is a surprisingly delightful feature.
- New Gestures & Mouse Support: More intuitive hand gestures and, crucially, the addition of Bluetooth mouse support have made navigating the OS less cumbersome.
The App Ecosystem: Still a Work in Progress 🚧
While the number of native visionOS apps has grown since launch, it hasn’t seen the explosive growth many had hoped for. Many major media apps, like YouTube and Netflix, still do not have a dedicated native app, forcing users to rely on the browser.
However, the primary use cases have become clearer:
- Personal Movie Theater: This remains the “killer app.” Watching 3D and immersive content on the Vision Pro’s micro-OLED screens is an unparalleled experience.
- Focused, Portable Workstation: For professionals who travel, the ability to create a giant, private 4K monitor in a hotel room or on a plane is a genuine productivity booster.
The Price and the Future: Wait for the Cheaper Model
The biggest obstacle to the Vision Pro’s mainstream adoption remains its staggering $3,499 price tag. It is still too heavy for many users for extended use, and the external battery pack remains a point of friction.
Rumors are now heavily focused on a cheaper, lighter, non-pro “Apple Vision” model, potentially launching in late 2025 or early 2026 for a more accessible price point around $1,500. There are also whispers of a minor “Vision Pro 2” refresh with a faster processor (M4 or M5), but no major design changes.
The Verdict: Who Should Buy It in Late 2025?
- For Developers and Die-Hard Early Adopters: It is still the most advanced piece of consumer technology on the planet and a necessary tool for building the future of spatial computing.
- For the Average Consumer: It’s an incredible, but ultimately non-essential, luxury device. The experience is magical, but the high price, weight, and limited app library make it difficult to justify. For most people, the smart move is to wait for the rumored, more affordable model.
Step 2: Offer Next Step
The article on the Apple Vision Pro is now complete. The next topic on our list is a look at the best budget smartphones with flagship features. Shall I prepare that for you?