Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro now available for pre-order ahead of February 2 launch

Preorders for Apple’s pricy Vision Pro headset began Thursday ahead of its U.S. release on Feb. 2. The virtual reality headset starts at $3,499, and buyers also have the option to pay in 12-month installments.

Preorders are now open for Apple’s high-end Vision Pro headset, set to release in the U.S. on Feb. 2. Priced at $3,499, buyers have the choice to pay in 12 monthly installments.

Apple first unveiled the Vision Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2023. The Vision Pro marks Apple’s first foray into a new product category since the Apple Watch in 2015. Described as “Apple’s first spatial computer,” it seamlessly merges digital content with the physical world, emphasizing a connected and present user experience.

At its core, the Vision Pro features visionOS, the world’s inaugural spatial operating system, allowing users to engage with digital content in a tangible manner within their physical space. The headset boasts a fully three-dimensional user interface that incorporates natural inputs like eyes, hands, and voice. This innovative system breaks down the boundaries between the digital and physical realms, offering an immersive and interactive encounter.

Notably, Wall Street anticipates that Vision Pro won’t match the sales volumes of Apple’s other products initially. Analysts like Morgan Stanley’s Erik Woodring said the long-term potential rather than immediate success in 2024. UBS’ David Vogt estimates a potential revenue of around $1.4 billion in 2024 if Apple ships approximately 400,000 units.

“We believe success with the Vision Pro is less about 2024 and more about its longer-term potential,” Woodring said in a note to investors in December.

The base Vision Pro model, starting at $3,499, includes 256GB of storage and the M2 chip found in some Macs. Apple also offers a 512GB model for $3,699 and a 1TB version for $3,899. Providing a “spatial computing” experience, the headset can function as a virtual reality display for activities like watching movies or allow users to pin various apps and screens while remaining aware of their surroundings.

For those interested, Apple’s preorder website recommends using an iPhone or iPad with Face ID to determine the best-fitting size. Additionally, a 12-month financing plan is available, with the $3,499 model costing $291.58 per month. Prescription lens inserts can be acquired separately for $149.

However, with a starting price tag of $3,499, the cost of the product may restrict its appeal to a relatively small segment of individuals, namely avid video game enthusiasts and affluent technology enthusiasts.

The Vision Pro also has the potential to join the ranks of the company’s legendary innovations, even though Apple has not always been the first to venture into a specific device category.

Apple’s history of groundbreaking products dates back to Steve Jobs’ introduction of the first Mac in 1984, followed by milestones like the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, the iPad in 2010, the Apple Watch in 2014, and the AirPods in 2016.