Tech

Reviewers keep mentioning how heavy the Vision Pro feels. Apple execs say there was no way to make it lighter.

Apple Vision Pro
The device is made of magnesium, carbon fiber, and aluminum. Apple
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The Apple Vision Pro can feel uncomfortably heavy after a while, but Apple execs say it's as light as they could have made it.

In a Vanity Fair interview published Thursday, two company execs discussed the size and weight of the mixed-reality headset, which is made from magnesium, carbon fiber, and aluminum.

Richard Howarth, Apple's vice president of industrial design, told Vanity Fair, "There's nothing we could have done to make it lighter or smaller."

Meanwhile, Mike Rockwell, vice president of Apple's Vision Products Group, said, "We packed just about as much technology as you could possibly pack into that small of a form factor."

Apple's chief exec, Tim Cook, also told the magazine that the Vision Pro we see today has come a long way in terms of its size, saying it used to be a "monster."

"You weren't really wearing it at that time," he said. "It wasn't wearable by any means of the imagination."

The Vision Pro launched in the US on Friday. The device weighs between 21.2 and 22.9 ounces, depending on the wearer's use of light seals and choice of the solo knit or dual loop headband.

One common gripe from journalists and tech enthusiasts reviewing the device is that it can be uncomfortable to wear for a period of time.

Mark Spoonauer of Tom's Guide felt it "weighing on my cheeks" after just half an hour. The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern called the feeling "face crush."

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Sarah Jackson
Sarah Jackson was a senior reporter at Business Insider who covers tech and trending business news, with a focus on the workplace. She has covered The Great Resignation, workplace trends, remote work and RTO, tech layoffs, the job search, and more. Before joining Business Insider in 2021, Sarah also wrote for places like Inc., NBC News, and The Today Show. She received her B.A. in journalism from NYU.Some of Sarah's top stories include:Workers are 'epiphany-quitting' their jobs after the pandemic forced them to rethink everything about their livesJob postings can reveal signs of trouble ahead with a potential employer or role. Here are the red flags that candidates should look for.The 'hushed hybrid' work schedule is the latest way employees are getting around a return to the officeNew York City employers are now required to list salary ranges in their job posts. Here's how that will affect candidates and companies.as-told-to: I do 'Bare Minimum Mondays' at work to help beat the 'Sunday scaries' and avoid burnout. It's completely changed my life and how I approach my job.