Tech giant Apple reportedly plans to launch its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, by February 2024, according to a report from Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Apple Plans To Launch Vision Pro Headset By February
Apple first introduced the Vision Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2023. Back then, the company said the headset would be launched “early next year” and that people in the U.S. could buy it for $3,499.
The Bloomberg report states that Apple is ramping up the production of Vision Pro, and the headset production has been “running at full speed” for weeks now at facilities in China to ensure customer-bound units are ready by the end of January, with a retail debut planned for February 2024.
Ahead of the release, Apple has emailed software developers, urging them to “get ready” for the Vision Pro’s arrival by testing their apps with the latest tools and submitting their software to Apple for valuable feedback.
“There’s so much more to come. And we can’t wait to see what the next year brings,” read the message, suggesting that the upcoming release is imminent.
Besides the developers, Apple is also preparing its retail stores for the upcoming headset’s launch. The company has invited at least two retail staffers from each outlet to attend a two-day training session at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, in January.
These trainees will manage the store’s Vision Pro sales and train several members from each Apple Store back home on how to market the product to potential customers. The two-day training session will cover the headset’s features, how to connect the headband, Light Seal, and prescription lenses, its key selling points, and customer etiquette, like how to comfortably place the device on customers’ heads.
Apple is also planning an app that can scan customers’ head and face shapes to help them find the best fit for themselves.
Bloomberg’s report also mentions that Apple plans to limit the Vision Pro mixed reality headset sales to the U.S. only. Considering the limited U.S. release and its high price tag of $3,499, it is unlikely that Apple will organize another dedicated Vision Pro launch event.
While the expected launch month is February, the report cautions that “last-minute production hiccups or other snags could, of course, push back the planned timeline.”