Apple’s Vision Pro front glass is breaking ground for a small but growing number of people. The cause is a mystery because owners say they haven’t dropped, mishandled or abused the handset in any way. After an extreme rate 18 days ago, several more owners reported the same problem in the last 48 hours.
Owners are concerned as the Vision Pro, Apple’s first spatial computer, is an extremely premium device. Beyond the $3,500 starting price, the prospect of paying for expensive repairs to unexplained problems pushes the cost even higher.
Apple has not released an official statement about why some Vision Pro visors break or how it will address the problem. There are many guesses and some clues that could help you avoid this problem. If you pay for the repair, it costs $800 to replace the front glass. If you buy the $500 Apple Care+ plan, the cost drops to $300, so you’re still out $800.
The first report was published on Reddit by Wohinbistdu on February 5, 2024, just three days after Apple introduced the Vision Pro. A faint white line reaches from the bottom center of the glass, reminiscent of the cracks that appeared on the first generation of foldable phones.
Of course, the Vision Pro doesn’t fold. However, it has a complex curvature in this area that rolls over the bottom edge while also bending upwards to make room for the nose. Is Apple’s glass manufacturing too complicated? There were reportedly manufacturing issues that delayed the launch of the Vision Pro. This complex glass surface also covers the lidar sensor and there is a possibility that the crack will affect the depth mapping.
A crazy 10-foot drop test resulted in a Vision Pro visor that shattered like car safety glass. But drops weren’t the problem according to constant reports from Vision Pro owners.
After initially being denied a replacement unit by a senior Apple customer support representative and then experiencing delays because the local Apple Store was too busy, Wohinbistdu finally got a replacement for her unexpectedly broken Vision Pro yesterday.
Redditor dornbirn received 417 upvotes for an impressive title “Cracked! But it didn’t fall.” And of infinite Vision Pro crack is the worst example. The line of broken glass runs from top to bottom in stark contrast to the glossy black of the front panel. Contributed by Far8997 got a nice close up of the problem.
Some people report leaving the Vision Pro headset to charge with the protective front cover open. Some also place them in the case. Since the Vision Pro’s battery is external, there is no reason for any thermal expansion of the battery to affect the headset and glass. However, it may be safer to turn the Vision Pro off and unplug it overnight when leaving the battery open for charging.
If you’re already suffering from a cracked front glass on your Vision Pro, be aware that Apple Support may not have an official answer, so if your claim is rejected by a representative, try again. The next person can offer a free replacement.
Stay tuned and we’ll update when Apple makes a statement on this issue.
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