Super Headset to be released before Chinese New Year? Apple reportedly full-speed production of Vision Pro in China

Recent news shows that Apple may officially launch the highly anticipated mixed reality (XR) headset, Vision Pro, before and after the Chinese New Year next year.

On Wednesday, December 20th, Eastern Time, media reports cited insiders as saying that Apple has been in full production of Vision Pro in China for several weeks, preparing for the launch of this product, which is claimed to be the most important Apple product since its inception, in February next year. Apple's goal is to have its customer-facing business departments ready by the end of January and to have the headset make its first appearance in Apple's retail stores in February.

According to the media, on Wednesday, Apple sent an email to software developers, encouraging them to test their apps with the latest tools and send their software to Apple for feedback in order to "prepare" for Vision Pro. This is seen as another sign that Vision Pro is about to be launched.

The launch of Vision Pro means that Apple is opening up a new product category for the first time since the sale of smartwatches in 2015. Priced at $3,499, it is a product that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, marking Apple's official entry into the VR and AR field.

The media pointed out that Vision Pro is the most complex product Apple has released so far, as it has custom components that need to be assembled and packaged at the point of sale, requiring different sales strategies and equipment than before. If it is not properly worn on the user's head, it will not display content correctly and may increase the burden on the user's head. Apple is renovating its retail stores to make room for Vision Pro, and the various sizes and configurations of the headset will require more storage space. Apple will also need new demonstration areas and venues for employees to pack the headphones with the correct size accessories.

At the same time, the media mentioned that if there are production issues or other obstacles in the final stages, it may lead to Apple delaying the launch of Vision Pro.

Recently, more and more news shows that Apple is accelerating its preparations for the launch of Vision Pro.

Earlier reports stated that Apple's retail stores have already prepared for Vision Pro, with the goal of launching it in January next year. According to supply chain sources, the production capacity bottleneck of OLEDoS displays has been broken through by mainland Chinese companies and entered the supply chain, and the supply chain has already prepared for an annual production of 1 million units.

According to supply chain sources cited by the media, Apple's Vision Pro has entered mass production this month, with the proportion of the mainland Chinese supply chain increasing significantly to 60%. Apple plans to officially mass produce the first generation of Vision Pro this month, with an initial stock of 400,000 units. In addition, Apple has set a target of selling 1 million units of this device next year, with plans to reach 10 million units in the third year after its launch.

Last week, Wallstreetcn mentioned that in order to successfully launch Vision Pro in early next year, Apple plans to conduct employee training courses related to the use and sales of Vision Pro in mid-January next year. Selected employees from various stores will go to Cupertino, California, where Apple's headquarters is located, for a two-day training session. The report from Fangzheng Securities last week pointed out that Vision Pro is starting a new round of revolutionary innovation, and Apple is expected to embrace the Chinese supply chain again. Chinese related manufacturers may benefit from the surge in sales of Apple's MR headsets. The report stated:

The current cost of Apple Vision Pro is around $1700, and it is expected to be released in early 2024. The second-generation affordable product is expected to hit the market in 2025-2026, driving the sales of headsets to a new level with its high cost-performance ratio.

With the improvement of China's supply chain status, the proportion of VisionPro's Chinese mainland supply chain is expected to increase. Luxshare Precision will become the exclusive assembly factory for Apple's headsets, and Lingyi Intelligent Manufacturing has indicated clear procurement demands from its customers. We believe that Apple is expected to embrace the Chinese supply chain again, and Chinese related manufacturers are expected to benefit from the surge in sales of Apple's MR headsets.