Apple is reportedly working on the successor to its first mixed reality headset, aware of having to keep the price within certain ranges.
The debut of Apple Vision Pro, the mixed reality viewer from the Cupertino company, highlighted an imperfect adherence to user needs.
Shipment forecasts for 2024 were around 800,000 units, but after the disappointing initial market response, these dropped to around 450,000.
Currently, Cupertino would be already working on the successorapparently intent on avoiding similar mistakes in the future.
According to rumors, the next Apple Vision Pro should start from a much lower entry price, even less than half the current cost of the headset on sale.
Reduced price target
For Vision Pro, launched earlier this year, Apple faced significantly high production costs.
It was learned that the dual-4K micro-OLED panels supplied by Sony represented the most expensive component of the entire device, so much so that, according to one estimate, the production cost of the viewer alone was around 1500 dollars.
Now Cupertino is planning, according to information from insiders like Ravegnus, a possible return with Vision Pro 2: the rumors suggest a price between 1500 and 2000 dollars.
Consequently, the dilemma arises as to how the company can amortize production costs.
Samsung and SeeYa they appear to be involved in the negotiations as component suppliers.
The Korean company is expected to replace SK hynix to provide the DRAM needed to handle the intensive image processing of the headset hardware, which requires specific customization for the device.
SeeYA Technology, on the other hand, would have the difficult task of providing new displays that avoid pushing product expenses beyond the established range.
When is the 2nd coming?
The starting price of Apple Vision Pro, set at $3500 in the United States, was not enough to convince users to invest in such a product, especially considering the massive push needed to break the mold and make everyday use of technology a new habit.
Despite this, the Apple company is still determined to launch the product internationally, but is using this period to monitor trends and make sure that the next model is more in line with the habits and economic possibilities of its users.
According to some analysts, the next iteration of the product is not expected to be completed before 2026with large-scale production starting the following year, in 2027.
Furthermore, there are rumors about one economical variant of the viewerwhich would not represent a revolution in terms of functionality, but would simply be a more accessible model than the Vision Pro launched in February.
It remains to be seen whether the fate of this ambitious launch, which had all the makings of being revolutionary, will be able to recover after the initial uncertainties.
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