Apple will set aside a dedicated area in its physical stores to provide customers with the experience of head-mounted display devices, making it easier for consumers to choose the right headset and accessories. Some analysts believe that Apple's move is actually a necessary choice, as it is the only way to ensure that customers can purchase Vision Pro with the appropriate size headband and Light Seal (an accessory made of soft textiles that fits the face).
Apple's VR headset, Vision Pro, when will it be available to consumers?
On Friday, July 7th, according to media reports, Apple plans to launch its Vision Pro VR headset in the US market in early 2024. However, during the initial sales phase, it will only be available for pre-order, highlighting the complex situation this mixed reality device currently faces.
Apple will set up a dedicated area in its physical stores to provide customers with the opportunity to experience the functionality of the VR headset, making it easier for consumers to choose the right headset and accessories.
Some analysts believe that Apple's requirement for customers to make in-store appointments for the Vision Pro is a necessary choice in order to ensure that customers receive a headset with the appropriate headband size and light seal (a facial accessory made of soft textiles).
Although Apple plans to sell this device in approximately 270 stores across the United States, initially, the Vision Pro will only be available in key areas such as New York and Los Angeles before expanding nationwide.
This is not the first setback for the Vision Pro.
According to media reports on Monday, two sources close to Apple and LUXSHARE-ICT revealed that Apple plans to reduce the production volume of the first MR headset, Vision Pro, which was released on June 6th this year, to no more than 400,000 units in 2024. Initially, Apple had hoped to ship 1 million units in 2024. In addition, two exclusive Chinese suppliers of certain components for the Vision Pro stated that Apple only requested them to produce 130,000 to 150,000 units in the first year.
After 7 years of development, Apple's Vision Pro was released last month and is hailed as the most important product since Apple's launch. According to insiders familiar with the production process, the complexity of the headset's design and the difficulties in production have led to a reduction in the target production volume, and the plan to launch a cheaper version had to be postponed.
The entire screen of Apple's MR headset is made of curved glass, consisting of two micro OLED displays (one for each eye) and a curved "lens". Assembly workers found it difficult to manufacture the device due to the curvature of the display. Due to its unconventional curved design, ultra-thin and lightweight construction, this headset is the most complex hardware product ever created by Apple, making it difficult to mass-produce and driving up its expected retail price ($3,500).
As a result, analysts predicted that Apple's first-year shipment of the Vision Pro headset is expected to be less than 500,000 units before its official release.