The Vision Pro headset, a new offering from Apple, is set to become available in the U.S. from February 2, as announced by the company. Preorders begin at 5 a.m. PT on January 19. The release in the U.S. precedes an unspecified, but reportedly soon, global rollout.
A press statement released on Apple's website conveyed that both online and in-store purchases will start accepting orders from February 2, valid presently only for American customers. The timeline for the release to international users is still under wraps.
Creating its own market niche, the Vision Pro is the first major product release from Apple in a while. It integrates augmented and virtual reality capabilities, providing various applications such as media viewing, gaming, and video calling. The device's high-end technology specification is noteworthy, as is its premium price of $3,499.
The company’s statement also revealed that the $3,499 Vision Pro will feature 256GB of inbuilt storage. The term “starting” price used by Apple hints at upcoming versions with higher storage capacity at escalated prices. Information on these variations is currently confined.
Eye-glass Lenses More Affordable Than Anticipated
No clear guidelines were communicated in the press release concerning whether customers would require an in-store fitting or a usage tutorial. The online availability of the device could possibly eliminate these needs, or else further instruction might be provided before the release.
The Vision Pro will retail alongside custom-built Zeiss lenses for users wearing spectacles. Previously, it was believed that these lenses would need fitting consultations before purchase, but Apple has now declared their pricing details. Non-prescription lenses, termed “readers”, will cost $99, while prescription lenses will be priced at $149. Both types of lenses are designed to affix magnetically to the Vision Pro—significantly less costly than a previously anticipated range of $300-$600.
The included accessories of the headset, as noted in the press release, are two bands (a Solo Knit Band and a Dual Loop Band), a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a front cover for the headset, a polishing cloth, a separate battery, a USB-C cable, and a USB-C power adapter.
With a release date in sight for Apple’s Vision Pro, the customer response to its premium pricing remains to be seen. While the device is not projected for mass-market sales, its effect on the burgeoning virtual reality sector could be considerable.
