Apple Vision Pro headset
Apple Inc. NASDAQ: AAPL is going ahead with creating a more affordable model of its mixed-reality headset and may be launched as early as 2025, it hopes for an affordable price to make an entry to virtual and augmented reality more feasible. Late last week, a report by Bloomberg stated.
Since its launch in the U.S. this February, the $3,500 premium mixed reality headset has gotten off to a tepid start. Consider:
Quarterly sales of the headgear don’t exceed 100,000 units
Annual sales estimates below 500,000 units
Details on New Low-Cost Model
The new lower-priced model being proposed would:
Come in at a price of approximately $2,000
Utilize a less powerful processor
Use cheaper materials
It won’t have the Eye Sight feature showing the user’s eyes outside the headset
That, according to Apple, can sell up to as many as twice the number sold by Vision Pro.
Expanding Mixed Reality Portfolio
Other than those, following are some of the other plans which Apple’s group is considering to utilize its visual intelligence technology:
Smart Glasses with a look similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration
Camera-enabled Air Pods
Most of those attempts try to claw back the considerable investment involved in creating the core technology behind the Vision Pro by embedding it in a host of other products.
Strategy Shift
Contrary to earlier reports by The Information, which suggested Apple had halted development of the next-generation Vision Pro headset, the company has shifted its focus to creating a more affordable version to capture a larger market share. As the mixed reality landscape evolves, Apple’s strategy now centers on striking a balance between cutting-edge innovation and accessibility. This approach reflects the company’s goal to make immersive technologies more attainable for a broader audience, while still leveraging its visual intelligence technology in various products, such as smart glasses and AirPods, to maximize the return on its significant investment.
