Apple Vision Pro Owners Report Hairline Cracks in Headsets, Possible Manufacturing Defect
A small number of Apple Vision Pro owners have recently come forward with a concerning issue – hairline cracks appearing in the front cover glass of their headsets. What makes this even more puzzling is that these cracks have developed despite the headsets never being dropped or mishandled. The reports suggest that this may be a manufacturing defect rather than a result of user error.
The first report was posted on the subreddit /r/VisionPro about 18 days ago, and since then, several more users have shared similar experiences. All of the images posted show a distinct vertical hairline crack above the nose bridge, indicating that the damage is occurring at a specific point of tension where the curvature of the laminated glass is most pronounced.
Interestingly, we were unable to find any additional reports of similar issues on social media, Apple’s online Support Community, or even in the MacRumors forums. This suggests that this may be a problem limited to a small batch of units rather than a widespread concern affecting all Apple Vision Pro headsets.
According to the reports, the cracks suddenly became visible without any apparent reason after the headsets had been connected to an external battery pack and stored overnight. Some users had even placed their headsets in Apple’s Travel Case with the soft front cover attached. This has led to speculation about potential causes for these cracks.
One theory suggests that the pressure exerted on the glass when tightening the straps may be causing a “bowing” effect on the surrounding frame, leading to cracks. Another possibility is that an overheating issue is expanding the glass and causing it to crack at its weakest point. However, since the battery is external to the headset, any heat generated would likely be due to a background software process malfunctioning.
Apple’s documentation states that the Apple Vision Pro continues to draw power from the battery pack even when not in use, allowing the device to sync mail, photos, and other data. If the headset is not worn for 24 hours, it automatically powers down. This raises questions about whether a software glitch could be responsible for the reported overheating issue.
The cost of repairing the cover glass depends on whether the owner has AppleCare coverage. With AppleCare, the deductible fee for a cover glass repair is $300, while without coverage, the same repair costs a hefty $800. Some affected owners have reached out to Apple Support but have been asked to pay for the repair since the crack has not been officially recognized as a manufacturing defect.
Typically, Apple introduces special repair programs for products with recognized hardware issues. However, it is unlikely that Apple will undertake an internal manufacturing probe unless more reports of identical defects emerge. Therefore, anyone facing the same issue is advised to contact Apple Support and escalate their case to increase the likelihood of Apple recognizing the problem and initiating a formal investigation.
In conclusion, while a small number of Apple Vision Pro owners have reported hairline cracks in their headsets’ front cover glass, it remains uncertain whether this is a manufacturing defect or an isolated incident. The similarity in the cracks’ appearance and the absence of widespread reports suggest a potential problem limited to a specific batch of units. Apple owners experiencing this issue are encouraged to reach out to Apple Support and escalate their case to ensure their concerns are heard and investigated further.
