The biggest star of WWDC23 is Apple’s new Vision Pro, a mixed reality headset with an insane USD 3,499 price tag (over RM16,000). Obviously, the Vision Pro would be out of reach for most consumers and it is reported that Apple could be releasing a cheaper version that could be announced by the end of 2025.
According to Bloomberg’s Apple analyst Mark Gurman, the Cupertino tech giant is planning for the release of a cheaper model which is expected to be announced as early as the end of 2025. The current Vision Pro is currently slated to be available in early 2024 but there are no clear availability details for global markets including Malaysia.
Despite the hefty price tag, an Apple executive Mike Rockwell said, “If you purchased a new state-of-the-art TV, surround-sound system, powerful computer with multiple high-definition displays, high-end camera and more, you still would not have come close to what Vision Pro delivers.”
The Vision Pro is Apple’s first take on mixed reality headset, which is already a niche segment focused on enterprise users. From the product introduction, Apple is expanding its use cases to cover consumers with the inclusion of entertainment and personal communication. As it is, Apple is calling the Vision Pro the world’s most advanced personal electronics device ever and it runs on its desktop-class M2 chip paired with an R1 chip to ensure an ultra-responsive experience to handle input from the 12 cameras, five sensors and six microphones.
Like any Apple product, they will not compromise on premium build quality as we’ve seen on their “cheaper” products such as the iPhone SE and Apple Watch SE. As pointed out by Gurman, the three most expensive components of the Vision Pro are its camera and sensor array, dual Apple Silicon chips and two 4K micro-LED displays. To bring the price down to a more palatable level, Apple could opt for lower resolution screens, older generation chips or fewer cameras and sensors which may reduce its feature list.
He added that Apple could go for a simpler headband design, remove the built-in spatial speakers and switch to manual Interpupillary distance (IPD) controls to knock the price down further. Interestingly, Gurman believes that Apple will retain the EyeSight feature, which is an external display which allows other users to “see you”, as well as retain the eye and hand-tracking system which is one of the core usability features of the Vision Pro.
It is said that Apple is already working on a second-generation Vision Pro and it is likely that the company would adopt a two-product strategy similar to the iPhone and iPhone Pro series. Would you consider a Vision “SE” if it costs a few thousand ringgit cheaper than the Pro? We reckon that it will still be a very premium product that’s likely to be priced well above RM10,000.
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