Apple’s Vision Pro headset delayed, now expected to ship in March

Apple unveiled its first-ever mixed-reality headset, or as it prefers to call it the spatial computer, Vision Pro, back in June, but the work is still ongoing on the headset. Although it was initially planned for a January release, it is now more likely to ship in March.

Since its unveiling at WWDC 2023, Apple has provided a broad timeline for the headset’s release, stating that it will be available in early 2024. However, it appears that the release date could be pushed further into the year, sometime around March, writes Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in the latest edition of his newsletter, Power On.

It appears that the software teams were aiming to release the product in January, as suggested by Gurman. This can be inferred from the fact that the latest beta version of visionOS includes product onboarding videos and other related materials, which are usually prepared towards the end of the software development cycle.

Additionally, the current iOS 17.2 beta version comes with Vision Pro companion features such as AirPlay Receiver and the ability to capture spatial videos on iPhone 15 Pro models.

Gurman suggests that despite the testing at the final stages, the company is still figuring out how to distribute the hardware.

Apple officially announced that the Vision Pro will be available for purchase in the United States early next year. Initially, the Apple Vision Pro will only be available in the United States, with additional international availability scheduled for later in 2024.

Apple has reportedly decided to sell the headset exclusively on its website or in Apple retail stores by appointment only. The company seemingly wants to ensure a carefully curated rollout experience for its brand-new platform, so the Vision Pro will not be available in third-party retailers. The customers would need to make an appointment at the Apple Stores or online in case they want to buy one.

The Vision Pro headset is priced at $3,499. ToI