- Apple has opened preorders for the Vision Pro headset, their first major new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. It provides virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality modes powered by the M2 chip.
- The Vision Pro starts at $3499 for the 256GB model. 512GB is $3699 and 1TB is $3899. Preorders opened on January 19th ahead of the February 2nd launch.
- Analysts estimate around 400,000 units shipped in 2024, generating $1.4 billion in revenue. It represents Apple’s future in spatial computing, though its real success is 3-5 years out.
Apple has just opened preorders for their highly anticipated Vision Pro virtual and augmented reality headset. This launch marks the tech giant’s first entry into a new product category since the Apple Watch debuted in 2015.
What is the Apple Vision Pro?
The Vision Pro headset provides an immersive spatial computing experience that can be used for both virtual reality and augmented reality applications. It features two ultra high-resolution displays that can shift between full VR mode and a mixed reality view.
The headset is powered by Apple’s latest M2 chip, the same processor used in recent Mac computers. This gives it significant computing power in a portable form factor. The Vision Pro comes with 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage.
Pricing and Availability
The Vision Pro starts at $3499 for the base 256GB model. Apple is also offering 512GB for $3699 and 1TB for $3899.
Preorders opened on January 19th, 2023 ahead of the official US launch on February 2nd. Customers even have the option to pay in 12 monthly installments, starting at $291.58 per month.
The headset only works in conjunction with an iPhone or iPad for setup and connectivity. Prescription lens inserts will also be sold separately for $149.
Outlook and Market Potential
The Vision Pro isn’t expected to sell in iPhone-like quantities, at least not at first. But it represents Apple’s future in spatial computing and virtual experiences.
Analysts estimate around 400,000 units shipped in 2024, generating $1.4 billion in revenue. That pales in comparison to the billions brought in by products like the iPhone. However, Apple is playing the long game here, with some analysts saying the Vision Pro’s real success is 3-5 years out.
This launch kicks off the next era for Apple. The Vision Pro may never match their core products, but it offers capabilities not possible on other devices. We’re seeing the future today with preorders now open.
