Gurman: Apple Could Release $2,000 'Apple Vision' Headset Next Year

[applegeek2024]

I tried meta one that was $400.. and that was $400 too expensive..

Let's face it.. these are only for super hard core people only. It is too damn HEAVY and uncomfortable.. never mind that it needs to have insane battery life... It is still far away for general public... SO that is $400 device.. imagine HOw i feel about $2000 device with all the same condition.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I have to laugh at the idea of a slower processor being contributory to a lower price. The M2 was already out of date by the time of the launch. What are they going to do, put an M1 in it?

Probably the A19, which will more than likely be comparable to an M2 by then.
The A18 is comparable to the M1.
By “slower”, he probably just means it will use the smaller series of chips. Not that the actual chip itself will be significantly slower.

 

[longofest]

and I still wouldn't get it.

There is most certainly a price problem, but there is also a use case problem here. What does the Vision do that I so desperately need to put some goggles on my face - especially at that price point?

There is a pretty fantastic gaming and media consumption use case, but honestly Meta's devices - which cost small fractions of what Apple's do - are perfectly serviceable for these.

 

[Rychiar]

The original iPhone was $599 for 8 GB, and you had to buy some of AT&T‘s most expensive plans to use it.
In total, complete ownership of the phone over two years, not counting the basic plan, was almost $1100 in todays money.
The iPhone 16 is $800, no contract, no data plan, and nothing else required.
The 15 is $700, the 14 $600.
The price to enter The iPhone ecosystem has absolutely gone down since 2007.

no one buys the standard phones. the pros are $1200. the first iPhone launched at $600 but then they quickly cut the price to $400 and all the ones after that were subsidized so well from carriers all you had to do was sell the previous model unlocked and it paid for itself to upgrade

 

[gusping]

I have to laugh at the idea of a slower processor being contributory to a lower price. The M2 was already out of date by the time of the launch. What are they going to do, put an M1 in it?

Agree. The processors will be some of the cheaper components anyway.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

No multi-user. No sale.

Couldn’t agree more. The fact it doesn’t already have this is laughable.

 

[Rychiar]

and I still wouldn't get it.

There is most certainly a price problem, but there is also a use case problem here. What does the Vision do that I so desperately need to put some goggles on my face - especially at that price point?

There is a pretty fantastic gaming and media consumption use case, but honestly Meta's devices - which cost small fractions of what Apple's do - are perfectly serviceable for these.

its the best way to watch movies and tv hands down. when paired with AirPods Pro its like having the best theater ever in your house. meta doesn't come close for that

 

[L92]

This does look insanely priced on the surface, but keeping in mind at most folding phones *start* at $1800 without tax…
Yeah, this is a folding phone that can unfold to 120+ inches, not from six to eight.

You can use a folding phone anywhere without looking like a moron. They also tend to last more than 2 hours on battery. You can also buy them way cheaper than 1800. Even the latest/greatest Fold 6 is at 1600 on amazon currently, and I'm pretty sure you can shave off a few extra hundreds of that if you try.

 

[infinitejest]

Price is not the only reason why the Vision Pro is not selling. There's just no compelling reason to have one. A $2,000 or even $1,000 version still won't sell. Find a killer app. Without that it'll never sell.

Live sports could be the killer “app”. I was blown away during the demo when they showed the soccer game.

 

[satchmo]

Price is not the only reason why the Vision Pro is not selling. There's just no compelling reason to have one. A $2,000 or even $1,000 version still won't sell. Find a killer app. Without that it'll never sell.

The hope was that developers would come up with some cool and useful applications. I've only heard of some corporate applications (Porsche), and some content with spacial video.

I think Apple's beating a dead horse here. But if they walked away from a reported $10B spent on the car project, this is probably a drop in the bucket. And this being his pet project, Tim will likely continue to bankroll the Vision Pro at least until he retires.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

no one buys the standard phones. the pros are $1200. the first iPhone launched at $600 but then they quickly cut the price to $400 and all the ones after that were subsidized so well from carriers all you had to do was sell the previous model unlocked and it paid for itself to upgrade

This is ignoring a lot of (very important) details.
1: Apple had exclusive deals with certain carriers, especially AT&T, to have their own plans that cost extra for the iPhone. People who had an iPhone, had to pay extra on their data plan, and when Apple cut the price of the 3G, guess what else they did? Increased the price of that data plan to balance it out.
Also, there is no evidence that no one buys the base phones, that’s just something you made up.

 

[ChedNasad]

Can anyone even use headsets like these for longer than 15-20 minutes? I've bought a couple over the years and ultimately always returned them. Could just be me but short of the occasional game or maybe movie something like this even if really high quality just doesn't seem practical for day to day work use.

 

[arcite]

I might buy one when the tech is matured.....in a decade or so.

 

[contacos]

Can anyone even use headsets like these for longer than 15-20 minutes? I've bought a couple over the years and ultimately always returned them. Could just be me but short of the occasional game or maybe movie something like this even if really high quality just doesn't seem practical for day to day work use.

I loved my Meta Quest 3 initially but no price point will fix the main issue of "having to place something on your face". I don't even know how to explain it but there is like this "inner voice" telling me not to put it on, like a bag of chips laying in the corner telling me not to eat it. The fact that you cant just grab it like a phone also does not help. I need to get up, get it out of its case, put it on, adjust it. I probably spent 70 % of the time wearing it, adjusting the fit, hoping it would make a difference but nope, the issue is simply having something rest on my cheeks.

 

[josselinco]

So tired of the negativity in these comments. The same rant on every AVP post. Feels like Steve Ballmer trashing everything Apple tries. Yikes.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

You can use a folding phone anywhere without looking like a moron.

That’s subjective.

They also tend to last more than 2 hours on battery. You can also buy them way cheaper than 1800. Even the latest/greatest Fold 6 is at 1600 on amazon currently, and I'm pretty sure you can shave off a few extra hundreds of that if you try.

I have seen several reviews of the Vision Pro, where people got over three hours on the battery.
Also saying “ it’s not $1800, it’s actually $1600 if you jump through these hoops and push these right buttons” isn’t exactly the point you think it is. $1600+tax+a case+insurance+a phone plan and you’re easily going over $2000, even with the discount.
Plus (as angry posters will be the first to tell you) you can already find discounted vision pros by quite a bit. This will be true about the base model as well.
$1999 at launch easily could mean $1500 or less shortly after. That already happens with MacBooks and iPads, you can find the latest iPad Pro at Best Buy for several hundred dollars off.
A couple years ago Costco was having 16 inch MacBook Pro’s over $800 off.

 

[lenningj]

The AVP is barely noticed in store walking in now, was right at the front prominently displayed with multiple staff, since the 16 launch, pushed all the way to the back next to accessories and just before the genius bar. If only it was lightweight ;/

 

[rymc02]

Live sports could be the killer “app”. I was blown away during the demo when they showed the soccer game.

Problem with live sports is that it will be an additional fee. Sports packages are insanely expensive for what you get (ahem NFL package) and my guess is this will be even more expensive if you get the "live" experience.

Everyone always talks about how cool it would be to use the VR for sports or concerts like it will be free or something. How much do you think it will cost to sit front row at a TS concert or the 50 yard line at the Super Bowl? We are talking hundreds, but more likely thousands for a virtual ticket. Having to spend $2000-3500 on a headset plus the cost of a ticket, I rather just do something cheaper in reality but that just me.

 

[DrWojtek]

Price is not the only reason why the Vision Pro is not selling. There's just no compelling reason to have one. A $2,000 or even $1,000 version still won't sell. Find a killer app. Without that it'll never sell.

They should pay artists X dollars to have a 720 degrees camera setup at one of the best spots in their concerts. Anyone with a Vision Pro anywhere in the world should be able to experience the concert live and as many times as they want afterwards, by purchasing a "ticket". They should also use existing footage from real concerts and try and piece together an experience that could be purchased. Just think to experience Oasis, Familiar to millions (or insert whatever) how many times you please. As if you were there. Able to look around, jump, look down on your shoes, whatever. Incredible.

 

[rumagent]

Has anyone found a good use f

Price is not the only reason why the Vision Pro is not selling. There's just no compelling reason to have one. A $2,000 or even $1,000 version still won't sell. Find a killer app. Without that it'll never sell.

Spot on. The value prop is non existent. We got a couple at work and after the initial buzz they are basically gathering dust. It is amazing, but ultimately useless, hardware.

 

[L92]

That’s subjective.


I have seen several reviews of the Vision Pro, where people got over three hours on the battery.
Also saying “ it’s not $1800, it’s actually $1600 if you jump through these hoops and push these right buttons” isn’t exactly the point you think it is. $1600+tax+a case+insurance+a phone plan and you’re easily going over $2000, even with the discount.
Plus (as angry posters will be the first to tell you) you can already find discounted vision pros by quite a bit. This will be true about the base model as well.
$1999 at launch easily could mean $1500 or less shortly after. That already happens with MacBooks and iPads, you can find the latest iPad Pro at Best Buy for several hundred dollars off.
A couple years ago Costco was having 16 inch MacBook Pro’s over $800 off.

It's really not that subjetctive. I'm also not sure which hoops needs to be jumped through to click buy this on amazon. That's literally the price. And "tax, case, insurance" will also apply to the 2000 Vision headset if someone chooses to purchase those.
But in any case. A VR headset and a phone has completely different usecases. For one a phone can make calls it has a service. Superior battery life and cameras. And it's pocketable. I honestly don't see the resemblance.
The closest competitor of a Vision Pro in it's current state is a nice TV.

 

[subjonas]

Give them some style. Make them round kind of like this (obviously it will have to be bulkier):

Also good because the round goggle look implies to people that you can see them. Keep EyeSight but make it fun with pixel eyes instead of trying to go for realism.
Move processing to the back of the head to even out weight.
Would be nice to be able to quickly flip up/down the lenses.

 

[spaxxedout]

Meta did a lot of damage to this market by establishing ultra-low price floors / price expectations with products that use the video game console model of selling at a loss to recoup in software sales (a terrible model for general purpose computers).

There’s enough room to get to $2,000 without significant compromise. Switching to BOE from Sony for the displays alone could get the component cost close to $1,000. Eyesight will and should go. Aside from weight / cost advantages, the real benefit is optimal passthrough camera placement.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Get it down to $1,000. Then I'll consider

I'll see your $1,000 and lower it by $300.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Meta did a lot of damage to this market by establishing ultra-low price floors / price expectations with products that use the video game console model of selling at a loss to recoup in software sales (a terrible model for general purpose computers).

There’s enough room to get to $2,000 without significant compromise. Switching to BOE from Sony for the displays alone could get the component cost close to $1,000. Eyesight will and should go. Aside from weight / cost advantages, the real benefit is optimal passthrough camera placement.

The problem is that VR tech is extremely niche, regardless of who makes it. Sony stopped production of their PSVR2 and at one point they slashed the price to $350 and they still were a tough sell on Amazon.