Newsletter
Apple is gearing up to launch the Vision Pro headset next year, and it could be coming earlier than expected, according to Bloomberg. The company’s mixed-reality headset was announced at WWDC this summer, and Apple said it would release in “early 2024.” But soon after some media members tried the device firsthand, it became clear you wouldn’t be able to just walk into an Apple Store and buy Vision Pro. There would be a personalized sizing and fit process, and that requires a lot of training and infrastructure for Apple’s retail employees. Well, those training sessions are beginning soon.
Bloomberg says that Apple will fly out select employees from its retail stores to its Cupertino headquarters. There, they will be trained on how the Vision Pro works and will be sold. The report says that everything from how employees approach customers to how they are sized will be “carefully orchestrated.” After that, the employees with head back to their home stores and help train the remaining staff. The big news here is that these training sessions are being scheduled now, so Vision Pro could launch soon.
These sessions are set for mid-January, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the company wants to release Vision Pro in January. That would be an earlier launch than expected since many were expecting Apple to target the end of the “early 2024” timeline. But with the sessions just starting in mid-January, it’s unclear whether a January launch for Vision Pro is realistic. Gurman says that he expects Vision Pro to debut before March. That would likely be a much more realistic target than January.
How will you be able to buy Vision Pro at launch?
Now that we have a rough idea of when Vision Pro will debut, the next question is how you’ll be able to get it. There have been conflicting reports on this, but everything indicates that you won’t be able to buy Vision Pro online. You might be able to place an order for pickup, though. This is due to the aforementioned fit, sizing, and personalization process. Gurman even says that purchasing a Vision Pro headset will require an appointment.
It’s also important to remember that Vision Pro will only be available in the U.S., at least to start. Despite this, Apple expects to move 400,000 units at launch. With a lofty $3,499 price and shipping at a time when the economy is struggling with inflation, that would be some impressive figures for Apple. In the wake of the Meta Quest 3’s early success, Apple will need to prove that its headset is worth $3,000 more.