Apple Vision Pro Takes Off: 160k-180k Units Fly Off Shelves in First Weekend
Apple’s latest product, the Vision Pro, has surpassed all expectations in its first weekend of pre-orders. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst and blogger, estimated that Apple sold 160,000 to 180,000 units of the Vision Pro during the first three days of pre-orders. This is more than 40% of the 400,000 units that Apple was reportedly planning to sell in the first year.
The Vision Pro is a wearable device. It projects a high-resolution display onto the user’s eyes. This allows them to interact with virtual and augmented reality applications. The device is powered by Apple’s own chip, the A15X, and runs on a modified version of iOS. The Vision Pro also features advanced sensors, cameras, and speakers, creating an immersive and realistic experience for the user.
The device was announced at Apple’s special event on January 9, 2024, and pre-orders opened on January 19, 2024. The device is priced at $1,999 for the 64GB model, $2,499 for the 256GB model, and $2,999 for the 512GB model. The device is expected to ship in March 2024.
However, not everything is rosy for Apple. Kuo also raised a cautionary flag in his blog post, pointing out some potential signs of trouble for the Vision Pro. He noted that the device was instantly sold out and the shipping times were extended to six to eight weeks within minutes of pre-orders opening. This seemed to indicate a high demand for the device, but Kuo observed that the shipping times did not change after 48 hours of pre-orders opening. This suggests that the demand may have quickly tapered off after the core fans and heavy users secured their units.
is limited. He said that the Vision Pro, in contrast, has not seen the shipping times increase after the initial rush. Apple initially faced a shortage of products to meet customer demand, but now they’ve successfully balanced the supply to meet the demand.
Kuo estimated that Apple had 60,000 to 80,000 units of the Vision Pro stockpiled before the pre-orders opened. He said that Apple may need to catch up with an additional 100,000 units to meet the unexpected demand. However, he also cautioned that the 160,000+ figure may not fully reflect the long-term demand for the Vision Pro, given the nature of early adopter products and the rush of initial orders. He said that the true test for the Vision Pro will be the sales performance after the first batch of shipments.
The Vision Pro is a bold and innovative product from Apple, but it also faces many challenges and uncertainties. The device is expensive, requires a compatible iPhone, and has a limited battery life. The device also competes with other VR and AR products from companies like Facebook, Microsoft, and Samsung. The device also raises privacy and security concerns, as it collects and processes a lot of personal and environmental data from the user.
The Vision Pro is a product that could revolutionize the way we interact with technology, but it is also a product that could flop or fade away. Only time will tell if the Vision Pro is a success or a failure for Apple.
