Apple's latest foray into the world of augmented reality, the Vision Pro headset, has reportedly surpassed initial sales expectations.
Renowned Apple analyst Min-Chi Kuo suggests that the company may have sold a staggering 180,000 units during the pre-order phase, bringing in an impressive $630 million over the weekend.
Famed Apple analyst Min-Chi Kuo, known for his accurate predictions, initially projected a modest production of 60,000 to 80,000 units for the Vision Pro headset, envisioning it as a niche product for the tech giant.
However, Kuo's latest estimated indicates that Apple's ambitious device has far outstripped these projections, with actual sales falling between 160,000 to 180,000 units.
The unexpected surge in demand has resulted in immediate shipping delays for the premium headset, which comes with a hefty starting price of $3,500.
Kuo's analysis pointed out a noteworthy observation: unlike the typical scenario during the pre-order phase of a new iPhone, the Vision Pro headset maintained consistent shipping times in its first 48 hours of availability.
This suggested that Apple was well-prepared with sufficient units to meet the demand of early adopters. However, the stark contrast in demand between the Vision Pro and the iPhone raises questions about the headset's future as Apple's next must-have device.
Apple's bold step
All eyes are on the Vision Pro as Apple's first entirely new device since the debut of the Apple Watch in 2015. Positioned as a potential game-changer in the virtual reality (VR) market, the headset aims to create its own "spatial computing" market.
With a global launch planned for June at WWDC, industry observers eagerly await customer reception to determine the headset's impact on the evolving landscape of augmented reality.
Challenges ahead
Despite the apparent success in initial sales, Kuo emphasizes that the Vision Pro's current sales of 80,000 units represent only 0.007% of Apple's massive 1.2 billion active users.
The headset is undeniably the company's most niche product to date, leading to speculation about its long-term viability. Questions linger about the profit margins and whether the demand can sustain ongoing sales.
With shipping for the first units scheduled for February 2, Apple's Vision Pro is set to reach customers soon. However, the ultimate verdict on its success will come with the global launch in June. As the tech giant aims to expand its presence in the augmented reality market, all eyes are on whether the Vision Pro can indeed become a groundbreaking device or face challenges in a market that demands exponential growth.
