Apple to Release Vision Pro Headset in US on Feb. 2, Priced at $3,499
Apple (AAPL) has announced that it will be releasing its highly anticipated Vision Pro headset in the United States on Feb. 2. The new product, described by CEO Tim Cook as the dawn of spatial computing, will be available for purchase at US Apple Store locations and online for $3,499 with 256GB of storage.
Customers will have the opportunity to pre-order the device starting on Jan. 19, the company revealed. The news of the release has already had a positive impact on Apple’s stock, with shares rising nearly 1.5% at the open, following a challenging week for the tech giant.
The official launch of the VR and augmented reality headset represents a significant moment for Apple, as it marks the company’s biggest product launch in roughly a decade.
In a statement, Tim Cook expressed his excitement about the arrival of spatial computing, stating, “Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created. Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and explore.”
The release of the Vision Pro comes at a crucial time for Apple, as the company recently faced a sell-off that erased more than $175 billion in market value after two analyst downgrades. However, Apple’s stock is closely watched as the market’s most valuable company, with its performance capable of influencing the broader stock market and serving as a health gauge on the global economy.
The Vision Pro headset will test Apple’s ability to chart a new path as its older hardware categories, particularly the iPhone, have reached maturity. Despite concerns about cooling demand for its devices, bullish backers believe Apple’s massive potential to grow its services business could drive future success. Analysts estimate that Apple’s services segment alone is worth a staggering $1.6 trillion.
The Vision Pro runs on a new operating system, dubbed visionOS, featuring a new three-dimensional user interface and inputs controlled by a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. The device is expected to compete with Meta’s (META) Quest headsets, as Silicon Valley looks to establish augmented and virtual reality as the next frontier in technology, alongside the rapid development of generative AI.