Apple’s Vision Pro headsets have reportedly sold out their initial stock, with customers purchasing approximately 200,000 units within the first 10 days of pre-orders being made available, according to a report.
An insider familiar with the matter informed the Apple-focused news outlet MacRumors that the tech giant commenced pre-orders for the $3,500 virtual reality headset for US-based customers on January 19. The headset is set to hit company retail stores for purchase on Friday.
Requests for comment from Apple regarding the reported sell-out have been made.
Min-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities renowned for expertise in Apple’s supply chain, had previously estimated that the company sold between 160,000 and 180,000 Vision Pro headsets based on pre-order inventory.
In a blog post, Kuo suggested that the Vision Pro would likely maintain its status as a niche product highly coveted by Apple’s devoted customer base.
Apple has stated that the headset’s operating system will be compatible with over 1 million apps designed for the iPhone and iPad.
Despite pre-orders launching over 10 days ago, buyers will need to visit a store for proper fitting of the goggles, which are controlled using eye movements and a few simple hand gestures.
While Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, and other companies have been producing virtual reality headsets for years with limited success, industry analysts believe Apple has the potential to broaden the technology’s appeal beyond video gamers and tech enthusiasts.
Initial reviews for the Vision Pro have been largely positive among media outlets that were able to test it in controlled demonstrations overseen by Apple. However, the device’s high price point suggests relatively modest unit sales in its first year on the market.
Nonetheless, Apple’s debut of its first new product since the smartwatch could lay the groundwork for the introduction of more affordable versions targeting a wider audience.
Currently, the Vision Pro is priced seven times higher than Meta’s latest virtual reality headset, the Quest 3.
In a move signaling Apple’s anticipation of the Vision Pro expanding the market, the company has enabled the ability to capture 3D videos viewable through the goggles on its latest premium iPhones, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
These videos offer a level of realism where individuals and other elements appear to be in close proximity to the viewer.
Apple is exploring avenues to boost its sales following a slight revenue decline in its last fiscal year ending in September. Despite the dip, Apple still amassed $383 billion in sales, with the iPhone accounting for over half of that figure.
