Last updated: June 12, 2023, 12:34 PM IST
United States of America (USA)
Apple Vision could be the cheaper version of the headset?
Apple launched the Vision Pro headset earlier this month and the cheaper version could have a different focus.
Apple Vision Pro headset costs a bomb thanks to the advanced technology under the hood and the true-to-life experience. But at $3,500 (around Rs 2.8 lakh), this headset is out of reach for most people, even if they wanted to buy it. So it’s not surprising to learn that Apple will release a budget version of the Vision Pro headset.
According to Bloomberg, this budget headset could launch by the end of 2025, which is still a few years away. It’s likely that the cheaper version could be the vanilla Apple Vision model, while the Pro moniker is retained by the premium avatar.
The Pros strategy has worked well with iPhones over the years, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple adopted the same tactic for its Mixed Reality headset as well. The Vision headset can be powered by an M1 or M1 Pro chipset to offset the higher product cost. The materials of the headset can also differ. But when you say a cheaper Apple product, it’s usually above market standards. So expect a price tag of around $1,500 for the so-called cheaper Vision headset, which is certainly a big drop for Apple.
The Vision Pro headset has proven its capabilities and selected media people were given a 30 minute demo to experience the device and see what it has to offer. Apple’s biggest launch under Tim Cook received mixed feedback, but most people were surprised to see that none of Apple’s executives, including Cook, wore the headset to the world.
Details like this have been noticed by keen eyes, suggesting that the device may not be quite ready and needs developers to have applications that can work and show the $3,500 device what it’s worth.
This could explain the rationale behind the launch of the Vision Pro early next year, saying that Apple would hope the ecosystem matures for a public release and literally more apps work under your eyes. It is also certain that the Vision Pro will focus on limited markets in the first phase.