For a long time, Apple's Vision Pro has discouraged many consumers because of its high price. Although the device has garnered some attention in the high-end market due to its advanced technology and excellent experience, the price of $3,499 really exceeds most people's psychological expectations. The good news, though, is that a more accessible Vision Pro is on its way.
According to multiple sources, Apple has worked this low-priced version of Vision Pro, striving to solve the two major pain points of existing products: weight and price. While the current Vision Pro is relatively heavy to wear and can easily cause a burden on the head after long periods of use, the new version is expected to significantly reduce weight by optimizing the design or using different materials. While it's uncertain whether relatively inexpensive materials such as plastic will be used, it's certain that the weight reduction will greatly improve wearing comfort and make it easier for users to immerse themselves in the virtual world.
In terms of price, although the specific pricing has not yet been officially announced, there have been reports that the price may be similar to that of the high-end iPhone, at about $1,600. Once this price comes true, it will attract more consumers to try it. After all, competitors such as the Meta Quest 3 have always had a better price advantage, and the emergence of Apple's lower-priced version of the Vision Pro will undoubtedly spark fierce competition in the mid-to-high-end consumer headset market, bringing more choices to consumers.
Picture: Apple ramps up: Dual Vision Pro releases imminent
In addition to the lower-priced version, Apple is also building a Vision Pro that is customized for enterprises. One of the highlights of this device is that it can be connected to a Mac, which is known as "tethered" mode. This connectivity enables near-zero latency data transmission, which is critical for enterprise-level applications. For example, in the medical field, doctors can use its low latency characteristics to conduct remote surgical simulation and guidance more accurately. In the aerospace industry, engineers can conduct highly realistic flight simulation training to improve training effectiveness and safety.
From a technical point of view, this enterprise version of Vision Pro continues the transparent display technology of existing products, allowing users to freely switch between virtual and reality, enhancing the diversity and practicality of use scenarios. While it's unclear when the two products will be officially unveiled, there is widespread speculation in the industry that they could be released later this year.
The launch of Apple's two Vision Pros is of great significance to the entire XR market. The lower-priced version will help Apple expand its consumer market share and go head-to-head with competitors such as Meta; The Enterprise Edition opens up new business areas and taps into the unlimited potential of headsets in professional scenarios. In the future, with the advent of these two products, the competitive landscape of the XR market may be completely rewritten, so let's wait and see.
