Apple Halts Vision Pro 2 Production Amid Mixed-Reality Market Challenges and Low Demand; Affordable Headset May Boost Future User Base.
Apple’s Vision Pro 2, the successor to its mixed-reality headset, is facing significant setbacks and may not reach the Indian market. A recent report reveals that Apple has halted the development of the Vision Pro 2 due to disappointing sales figures of the original Vision Pro, which was priced at USD 3,499 (approximately Rs. 2,90,000 for the 256GB base model).
The Information reports that Apple initially unveiled the Vision Pro at the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Initially available only to US customers, the device has since been launched in several other regions, including Singapore, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Japan, and the UK.
Marketed as a ‘spatial computer,’ the Vision Pro allows users to engage with apps in both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) settings. Despite its innovative technology, the Vision Pro has not met Apple’s sales expectations, leading to a halt in production and reconsideration of development plans for the Vision Pro 2.
Analysts have flagged the high price point of the VR headset as a significant barrier to wider adoption.
Apple is not abandoning its AR/VR ambitions. Instead, the company is shifting focus toward developing a more affordable version of the Vision Pro, likely to be released by 2025. This upcoming model is expected to be cheaper and attract a broader audience with advanced features.
This strategic pivot aligns with Apple’s broader approach of offering multiple product tiers, similar to its strategy with the iPhone and other devices. The original Vision Pro plan will include the launch of two new variants: a standard model and a more advanced Pro version.
