- 0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources
65%
Probable
The marketing budget for the latest M5 Vision Pro was already reported to have been reduced by 95 percent because Apple has been unable to sell enough units to justify investing millions to promote an overly expensive headset. If the previous update wasn’t sufficient to let you know that the writing was on the wall, one tipster now states that the technology giant is rumored to halt production of its head-mounted wearable. Given that the first Apple Vision Pro and its successor garnered ‘less than optimum’ reception, the future appears uncertain for the newer version.
The only way to save Apple’s headset division is with the arrival of an affordable Vision Air, but the company appears to have pulled the plug on this model too
The rumor comes from Weibo, with Fixed-focus digital cameras stating that Apple has ‘suspended support’ for the M5 Vision Pro’s production. With no more units moving off the assembly line, it pretty much means that the company has failed to hit a home run with the newer model, despite introducing the M5 as a meaningful chipset upgrade compared to the M2 powering the older version. The first-generation Apple Vision Pro was estimated to have shipped less than 500,000 units, which is terrific, considering that it is a first-generation product stamped with a $3,499 price tag in the U.S. for the base storage.
Unfortunately, Apple will always set difficult sales benchmarks because its other products ship in the millions. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, has even said that the mixed-reality headset was never meant for the masses and that it caters to customers who want to experience tomorrow’s technology, today. The aforementioned price tag was always going to be a hurdle for customers, as there are a multitude of Apple products that can be purchased for that sum. Even those who made the undertaking of the M5 Vision Pro complained about head fatigue after a short while due to its excessive weight.
With the M5 Vision Pro’s future likely in doubt, the only possible way to keep this business afloat is to introduce a more affordable variant as a previous report referred to as the Apple Vision Air. Unfortunately, the company is said to have hit a snag with its low-cost option too, as Samsung has stopped developing panels for the device that could have potentially targeted the masses. Even though we recommend readers to treat rumors with a pinch of salt, the fact that the M5 Vision Pro didn’t fare any better than its predecessor speaks volumes about where Apple’s position lies in the mixed-reality headset space.
News Source: Fixed-focus digital cameras
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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