Apple has significantly reduced its production plans for the Vision Pro mixed reality headset due to manufacturing hurdles and a shifting product roadmap. Reports from the Financial Times indicate that the company will scale back output as it tackles the intricate design and assembly challenges associated with the device.
Multiple insiders with direct knowledge of the production line say the complexity of the headset has caused notable disruptions, and plans for a lower-cost version have been put on hold as a result. Those familiar with the process describe a tightening schedule that reflects careful inventory management and a cautious approach to ramping up manufacturing capabilities.
The current outlook shows Apple expected to ship well under 400,000 units of the $3,499 headset in 2024, versus an initial target near 1 million units. The shift signals a softer demand trajectory, as well as broader manufacturing constraints that are influencing production planning across the supply chain.
Two unnamed Chinese component suppliers linked to the Vision Pro confirmed to the Financial Times that Apple is seeking only enough parts to cover roughly 130,000 to 150,000 units annually. The disclosures from suppliers reinforce the pronounced drop in production activity and underscore the tension between hardware ambitions and component availability.
Analysts cited by the paper note that the fog over the release timeline is more about supply chain fragility than a deliberate delay for app development. The anticipated arrival window has become less certain, with early 2024 repeatedly cited as a potential timeframe, though there remains a degree of ambiguity about when customers will receive the headset or when developers will have a stable platform to build on.
Earlier, in Russia, there was chatter about a high-profile Apple headset marketed as exclusive and priced at 3.5 million rubles, illustrating the intense consumer interest and the premium positioning some variants of this technology attract. (Finance Times)