Kuo: Apple Vision Pro to Sell Out Fast, Leading to Long Shipping Delays

[MacRumors]

Apple on Monday announced it would begin accepting pre-orders for its new Vision Pro headset on January 19, with an official launch in the U.S. to follow on February 2. But if you're in the market for one, you may have to move fast, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

"Thanks to the demand from Apple's core fans and heavy users, the Vision Pro should sell out soon after it is available for pre-order or sale, resulting in a longer shipping time," said Kuo in his latest report covering Apple's announcement, which the analyst accurately predicted ahead of time.

"However, whether the demand for Vision Pro can be sustained after the novelty wears off is even more important, depending on whether Vision Pro's product positioning and key applications are clear and correct," added the analyst.

Kuo noted that Apple may need to reveal more details about the headset in the run-up to pre-order or launch to help maintain sales momentum and attract developers. Currently, ZEISS lens inserts starting at $99 are the sole other optional purchase for the Vision Pro headset that Apple has announced.

Beyond that, Apple has said only that the Vision Pro will be available "starting at $3,499 with 256GB of storage," suggesting customers will be offered a series of configuration options at increasing price points.

Included with the Vision Pro headset is a Solo Knit Band, a Dual Loop Band, a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover for the front of the device, a polishing cloth, battery unit, USB-C charging cable, and USB-C power adapter. Despite these details, other questions remain.

For example, Apple previously said the Vision Pro could be used indefinitely if the battery was itself plugged into an external power source, but that text has since been removed from the Vision Pro product page. Apple will likely offer additional battery units for purchase, but even this has not yet been officially confirmed by the company.

Apple is expected to make fewer than 400,000 units in 2024, with previous reports suggesting that Apple has been forced to make "drastic cuts" to its production forecasts because of difficulties with manufacturing.

Apple plans to start offering Vision Pro demonstrations at Apple retail stores in the U.S. on the official launch date of the device, Friday, February 2.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Vision Pro to Sell Out Fast, Leading to Long Shipping Delays

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I am sure about that for a couple of reasons.

1) Apple did not produce that many of them I bet

2) People are going to buy it with the intent of playing with it for 14 days and then returning it

 

[Costino1]

Who will be buying this day 1? Youtube reviewers? I have a Meta Quest 2 and the novelty of that wore off QUICK. I thought it was the most amazing technology the first few weeks I owned it; but having a big headset on and removing myself from "the real world" and limited battery life ruined the newness and thrill of it fast.

For $3500 one can get an amazing PC/Mac rig vs a computer-on-your-face. Just my opinion and not speaking for everyone, but this reminds me of the "car phone." Huge. Bulky. Pricy. Give it a few years (many) and now EVERYONE uses a cellular phone. Once this tech can be slapped on my face like Ray-Bans, I'll spend the $3500k.

 

[mango316]

Here come all the hustlers who will preorder these and then flip them for profits….

 

[nuff_said]

I am sure about that for a couple of reasons.

1) Apple did not produce that many of them I bet

2) People are going to buy it with the intent of playing with it for 14 days and then returning it

3) People buying them in the hopes of selling for a profit

 

[Godspeed8230]

While I will definitely not buy one I can see the allure and who knows, generation 3 or 4 of this product might actually be smaller and not come with a separate battery pack.

 

[MacProFCP]

In my decades of being an Apple customer, never have I been less interested in a new product. I don’t see how this can increase productivity as it seems like a product geared towards content consumption; and we already have enough of those time-wasting devices in our lives…(though I’m sure it will change the way thousands of porn addicts feed their addiction.)

And it’s priced like a niche product for tech reviewers and geeks.

 

[syklee26]

The fact that this will sell out fast means little to nothing in terms of being a mainstream product.

 

[Kylo83]

People will use it then return it

 

[jimbobb24]

My work is buying one for me to see if it can fit in our workflow.

I have never ordered an Apple product that might “sell out” or ordered on the first day. Any tips or tricks that would be helpful? Thanks.

 

[dannys1]

If any of you had any sense to invest, you'd buy one and keep it sealed in it's box for 15 years.

 

[StuBeck]

My work is buying one for me to see if it can fit in our workflow.

I have never ordered an Apple product that might “sell out” or ordered on the first day. Any tips or tricks that would be helpful? Thanks.

Probably not very helpful, but make sure your credit card is up to date on your store account and that's about it. There isn't anything special about Apple preorders.

Since this confused some...my comments were about the preorder process. I made no claim about the device.

 

[Jdn1994]

Do you think apple will prevent it from being used outside the US?

 

[TallGuyGT]

I will place an order on January 19th and will get it when I get it. I had to wait for the original Apple Watch, as well as the original Apple Watch Ultra. I've gone this long without a Vision Pro, a few extra weeks won't hurt.

I did get the invite for a test on Feb 2nd, so that may help snag one earlier if I miss the preorder window.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I’m really intrigued by this device and would love a demo. But I haven’t been able to justify getting a VR headset until now and I sure can’t justify getting this at a price point like this.

 

[BradWI]

Here come all the hustlers who will preorder these and then flip them for profits….

Yes, the reselling Slacks/Discords are all over this one. No risk given they can be returned but lots of $ to be made. Even a low 10% profit is a lot more attractive on a $3500 item vs something pedestrian like a Stanley cup or even a game system. Plus lots of credit card rewards to be earned as well on such a high dollar item. Hoping to get at least a dozen myself across my various accounts.

 

[ryanasimov]

I always enjoy reading about the expected add-ins that will come with the Vision Pro. If it follows the iPhone history, after a few revisions the only thing in the package besides the bare headset will be a single USB-C cable (and possibly not even that).

 

[randolorian]

Prepare for Macrumors to be overrun by Vision Pro articles over the next two months or so.

 

[bigjnyc]

I know there's a lot of people with disposable income out there... but I have to believe this is more a product of Apple making a limited amount than it is a product of high demand.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Will it be easy to resell it, if it has to be customized for the eyes of the customer?

 

[swiftapplefan]

I bet that a significant number will be people who buy it to keep it sealed for years and then resell it as a collector item

 

[Costino1]

I bet that a significant number will be people who buy it to keep it sealed for years and then resell it as a collector item

That really doesn't work anymore. Too many people did that. Akin to sports cards in the 80s and 90s. Everyone realized that cards from the 30s-50s can buy a house, so everyone saved and collected EVERY card.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Will it be easy to resell it, if it has to be customized for the eyes of the customer?

People who plan/hope to resell it will order it without any Zeiss inserts. But what about the different light seal sizes? I’m not finding how those are measured and determined? [are the included cushions different sizes to adjust the fit?] [Press who got trials had their faces scanned to ensure they got the right sized light seal.]

 

[acblue94]

Apple on Monday announced it would begin accepting pre-orders for its new Vision Pro headset on January 19, with an official launch in the U.S. to follow on February 2. But if you're in the market for one, you may have to move fast, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

"Thanks to the demand from Apple's core fans and heavy users, the Vision Pro should sell out soon after it is available for pre-order or sale, resulting in a longer shipping time," said Kuo in his latest report covering Apple's announcement, which the analyst accurately predicted ahead of time.

"However, whether the demand for Vision Pro can be sustained after the novelty wears off is even more important, depending on whether Vision Pro's product positioning and key applications are clear and correct," added the analyst.

Kuo noted that Apple may need to reveal more details about the headset in the run-up to pre-order or launch to help maintain sales momentum and attract developers. Currently, ZEISS lens inserts starting at $99 are the sole other optional purchase for the Vision Pro headset that Apple has announced.

Beyond that, Apple has said only that the Vision Pro will be available "starting at $3,499 with 256GB of storage," suggesting customers will be offered a series of configuration options at increasing price points.

Included with the Vision Pro headset is a Solo Knit Band, a Dual Loop Band, a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover for the front of the device, a polishing cloth, battery unit, USB-C charging cable, and USB-C power adapter. Despite these details, other questions remain.

For example, Apple previously said the Vision Pro could be used indefinitely if the battery was itself plugged into an external power source, but that text has since been removed from the Vision Pro product page. Apple will likely offer additional battery units for purchase, but even this has not yet been officially confirmed by the company.

Apple is expected to make fewer than 400,000 units in 2024, with previous reports suggesting that Apple has been forced to make "drastic cuts" to its production forecasts because of difficulties with manufacturing.

Apple plans to start offering Vision Pro demonstrations at Apple retail stores in the U.S. on the official launch date of the device, Friday, February 2.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Vision Pro to Sell Out Fast, Leading to Long Shipping Delays

lol. Text book hype.

 

[acblue94]

I’m really intrigued by this device and would love a demo. But I haven’t been able to justify getting a VR headset until now and I sure can’t justify getting this at a price point like this.

Apple playing you well. Don’t need these devices but for someone reason you need this version of AR. lol. If you didn’t need it before you don’t need it now.