Apple Vision Pro faces uncertain path under incoming hardware chief John Ternus

Apple’s Vision Pro headset has struggled to find a clear identity since its launch, and its future may depend on the priorities of incoming CEO John Ternus, who has historically been skeptical of the device. The headset can perform many tasks, including Mac Virtual Display, media consumption, and multitasking, but reviewers say none feel fully refined. The hardware is heavy for long sessions, many streaming services lack native apps, and text input remains cumbersome. According to reports, Ternus was opposed to Vision Pro early in its development, at least in its current $3,500 form factor. That skepticism may help explain why the product has felt underbaked and lacked strong executive advocacy. Tim Cook, who has long favored augmented reality, reportedly left key product decisions to other executives, some of whom doubted the headset from the start. Ternus has since expressed optimism, describing the current Vision Pro as “in the early innings” with room to grow. But any meaningful turnaround is unlikely before 2028. Apple’s cheaper and lighter Vision Air headset has reportedly been shelved, and the next major software release, visionOS 27, is already well underway. Strong leadership will be critical if Apple hopes to expand adoption. Shared experiences with distant friends and family are a compelling use case, but only if enough people own the hardware.