Apple's Vision Pro Headset Poised for January Debut, Custom Fitting in Stores

According to a shady web tip from China, Apple's Vision Pro headset will be released in the last week of January.

Apple’s Vision Pro Will Reportedly Be Released In Last Week of January

Wall Street Insights, a Chinese investor news organization with an unproven track record for Apple rumors, provided the information. The website claims to have gotten exclusive information indicating that the Vision Pro would be released in the United States on Saturday, January 27.

While the report clearly states that the launch will take place on a Saturday in the United States, there is a chance that the website is referring to January 27 in China, which falls on Friday, January 26 in the United States -- a much more likely date for the Vision Pro's launch.

Apple has seldom released hardware products on Saturdays, so it appears unlikely that the Vision Pro headset will be the first. The company will almost certainly prefer to debut products on weekdays to coincide with normal work hours, assuring maximum media coverage and stock market reaction. Friday, January 26 is also a more accurate interpretation, as Apple typically launches new gadgets on Fridays.

Apple only states that the Vision Pro headset will be available "early" this year, but no exact date for pre-orders or the product's release has been disclosed. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently stated that he expects the Vision Pro to hit stores in late January or early February, which is consistent with the new Chinese rumor.

Another Rumor Claims Apple's Vision Pro Set for February Launch, Emphasizing Custom Fitting in Stores

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, on the other hand, has stated unequivocally that Apple intends to unveil the smartphone in stores in February. For the previous few weeks, production has been "running at full speed" to ensure the Vision Pro is ready by the end of January, with a retail launch planned for February. Apple first announced the Vision Pro in June, stating that it would be available in early 2024.

Since then, reports about the release date have fluctuated, with earlier rumors pointing to March and later rumors pointing to January. To begin, sales of the Vision Pro will be limited to the United States, and it appears that buyers will have to purchase in a retail store or pick up an online order in-store.

Apple wants to make certain that customers have the proper headband size and Light Seal for a proper fit. Without a tight fit that shuts out all ambient light, the content may not look right, and the gadget may feel overly heavy. Because some customers will require bespoke Zeiss prescription lenses, Apple intends to do headset assembly in its retail stores.

Apple is ready to showcase and demonstrate the Vision Pro in certain retail locations. Locations will need headsets as well as all attachments, such as different-sized headbands and Light Seals. Employees from each of Apple's retail locations are being sent to Cupertino to learn how to prepare the gadget for customers.

Employees will learn how the Vision Pro works, what features to highlight in interactions with potential purchasers, and how to attach the headband, Light Seal, and prescription lenses, according to Gurman. It is a sensitive process since personnel must learn how to place a gadget on a person's head and place the appropriate Light Seal on the face. An app will scan a customer's face to decide the correct headband and Light Seal, but the app's decision will need to be approved by an employee.

Due to the limited U.S. release, the device's $3,500 price tag, and Apple's limited supply, Apple is not likely to have another Vision Pro event when it launches. If there is a high demand for the Vision Pro, Apple may not be able to produce enough units for several months. While Apple plans to launch in February, Gurman warns that production concerns or other issues could cause a delay.

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