As work on the Apple Vision Pro 2 is halted, the company is allocating more resources and effort toward its rumored low-cost model, which is slated to arrive in late 2025. While the upcoming model will be nowhere near the $3,499 amount that customers have to pay for the current version, it will still be a pricey endeavor, with the latest report stating that it will cost as much as a high-end iPhone.
Customers can be expected to pay up to $1,600 for the low-cost Apple Vision Pro
Looking at the rumored price of the low-cost Apple Vision Pro, The Information reports that it can be as expensive as a premium iPhone. For comparison, the top-end version of the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 1TB of internal storage retails for $1,599, meaning that you might be paying the equivalent of Apple’s premier model and not even get the full extent of visionOS. Now, one might assume that the steep $3,499 asking price of the first-generation Apple Vision Pro forced analyst Ming-Chi Kuo to revise his annual shipment estimates of 800,000 and 850,000 units down to 400,000 to 450,000 units.
However, Kuo also stated that buyers return the headset after a few tries, meaning that the Apple Vision Pro’s novelty dissipates rather quickly. This consumer behavior suggests that the head-mounted wearable may not deliver the same utility as an iPhone or Mac, and buyers are more likely to pick up an Apple product that provides more value to them regarding functionality. In short, despite the affordable Apple Vision Pro’s price, the majority would still regard it as a glorified media consumption device worn on the head.
However, assuming Apple can expand on the productivity options, as it has in its visionOS 2 preview, and offer an experience that is a tier below what they would normally get with a Mac, the AR headset has the chance to flourish. Unfortunately, this move may risk the technology giant’s Mac and iPad business, so it is definitely a tough call to make in the coming years. Additionally, the affordable Apple Vision Pro will compromise on various features, such as fewer cameras, no EyeSight, an inferior display, and an iPhone chipset powering its innards instead of a Mac SoC.
Such decisions to bring down the cost might disgruntle customers, as even with the price reduction, the device is still as expensive as a high-end iPhone or a medium spec’d-out MacBook Air. If given the choice, would they select these devices or one with a higher chance of being returned due to its lack of utility? Let us know in the comments.
News Source: The Information
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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