Apple continues to be one of the biggest tech companies today, but even a giant can't always have successful products all the time. While the Apple Vision Pro had a promising release, the hype around the device soon died down.
Apple Cuts Production for the Vision Pro
Since the demand for the AR/VR headset has gone way down, it only makes sense for Apple to adjust to the demand decline. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple is cutting its shipment forecast for the rest of the year factoring in the drop in sales.
For 2024, Apple reportedly only expects around 400,000 to 450,000 units to be sold, compared to the "market consensus" of 700,000 to 800,000, which is a much lower dip than the company is expecting, as reported by The Verge.
It seems that the capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro were impressive, but not enough to become a commonly used device. A lot of early users stressed that it wasn't practical as it can be uncomfortable when used for hours on end.
Some AR/VR headsets are collecting dust on buyers' shelves, while others took the opportunity to return the device during the indicated return period. It might have something to do with the price of the headset, which is $3,500. It's certainly a hefty price compared to other VR headsets.
The average consumer cannot spend that kind of money for a spatial computing device, especially given that there are cheaper options out there that offer almost every feature the Vision Pro has like the Meta Quest 3 headset, as the Meta CEO argued.
Certain buyers have also complained of overheating issues with the device during charging, which was said to be caused by leaving the soft cover on. In addition to that, Apple's headset still has a wire connecting it to a battery pack, which its competitors don't have.
Potential Next-Gen Apple Vision Pro
It's undeniable that Apple has a few kinks to work out with its first-generation headset, but now that the company knows which features to adjust, we are likely to get a better version, although it might not arrive soon. Kuo predicts that the second-generation Vision Pro might arrive in 2027.
Even a cheaper version of the Vision Pro won't come around for years, with an estimated production and release between late 2025 to early 2026, provided that Apple does not experience any delays, as mentioned in Tom's Guide.
There is no news so far whether Apple is already working on the cheaper version of the Apple Vision Pro. KuoKuo said that it will focus on improving efficiency in production and supply chain processes, and not lowering the specs to match the price.
The features and specs would be similar to create the same experience users had with the first-generation Apple AR/VR headset. Either way, it will still be a wait, whether buyers are aiming for the cheaper version of the second-generation headset.
