When the tech giant unveiled its eagerly awaited Vision Pro headset, there was both excitement and skepticism around Apple’s entry into the virtual reality space. This VR spatial computing gear costs an incredible $3,499, so it’s definitely not for everyone. Apple sold an amazing 180,000 Vision Pro headsets during the pre-order weekend, exceeding initial manufacturing forecasts and selling out of the item as soon as pre-orders opened, despite the device’s high pricing.
Analyst Min-Chi Kuo, known for his accurate predictions, initially estimated production figures of 60,000 to 80,000 units for the release on February 2. However, the actual pre-order sales far exceeded these projections. While the high sales numbers seem positive, Kuo cautions that the lack of a steady increase in shipping times within the first 48 hours might indicate a quick drop in demand after hardcore fans and heavy users made their purchases.
The Vision Pro, with its advanced features and capabilities, is not targeted at the average consumer in its current state. The absence of mainstream apps like YouTube, Spotify, or Netflix and the eye-watering base price make it a niche product. Apple may, however, release a more affordable model in the range of $1,500 to $2,500, as hinted by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
0.007 percent of Apple’s 1.2 billion active users own the iPhone, Kuo notes, even if it is sold out based on the highest original manufacturing level. This highlights the Vision Pro’s status as a niche product and forces Apple to devise a plan to maintain demand before to the device’s anticipated worldwide launch, which is expected to take place before this year’s WWDC in June. Apple is actively marketing the headgear in the interim by putting up demo areas in its flagship shops around the United States and providing prospective customers with 25-minute sessions. Apple’s ability to appeal to a wider audience and establish its presence in the competitive virtual reality sector is critical to the success of the Vision Pro.