NEWS  Apple  January 22, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

The much-anticipated Apple Vision Pro did not achieve an instant sellout on its launch day, despite being touted as a revolutionary step into the "era of spatial computing".

With its premium pricing and limited availability, the Vision Pro offers three capacities, starting at $3,500 for the 256GB model and escalating to $3,899 for the 1TB variant. Surprisingly, the higher-capacity models did not fly off the shelves as expected.

Tech enthusiasts and industry observers were quick to notice the delayed sellout, prompting popular YouTuber Aaron Zollo to report that, a day after launch, both the 512GB and 1TB Vision Pro units were still available for in-store pick-up. However, as of the latest update, all models have experienced a surge in shipping times, now ranging from 5 to 6 weeks.

Apple's marketing efforts surrounding the Vision Pro, coupled with its reputation for creating game-changing devices, had set the stage for a rapid sellout. However, Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-respected Apple supply chain analyst, revealed that the company may have had a limited initial supply, estimating between 60,000 to 80,000 units available on launch day.

Despite the brand's strong influence and marketing prowess, the Vision Pro seems to be facing challenges that its predecessors did not. The device is exclusively available in the United States, limiting its potential user base, and even with Apple's considerable hype, the AR and VR headset market has historically struggled to gain widespread popularity.

Pre-launch media reviews highlighted concerns, with one prominent issue being the weight of the Vision Pro, comparable to a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Critics have pointed out that the weight could impact user comfort, potentially hindering the widespread adoption of the device. Additionally, at launch, only 15 spatialized stock apps developed by Apple are available, raising questions about the overall ecosystem and user experience.

Third-party support, a crucial factor for the success of any tech device, seems lacking, with major platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and others expressing no plans to create spatialized versions of their apps for the Vision Pro. This lack of support from popular third-party developers could pose a significant hurdle for the device in gaining mainstream appeal.

As the Apple Vision Pro navigates its early days in the market, it is clear that the journey may be more challenging than anticipated. The limited availability, coupled with concerns about comfort and app support, raises questions about the device's immediate future and whether Apple's foray into spatial computing will capture the imagination of consumers as expected.

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