Apple is continuing its global expansion strategy for its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, making strides in multiple markets. The company launched the device in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, and several others. The latest addition to the list is Taiwan, where the Vision Pro will officially be available from Tuesday, December 17. Pre-orders for the device will begin much earlier, opening on Thursday, December 5, at 9 am local time, marking an important step in Apple’s global rollout of this cutting-edge technology.
To help customers make an informed decision, Apple has already updated its website for the Taiwanese market. This includes detailed product information, including the device’s features, customization options such as storage capacities, and ZEISS optical inserts for vision correction, which are key selling points for consumers. Additionally, Apple will be offering 30-minute demo sessions at its two retail stores in Taipei, giving potential customers a chance to experience the device firsthand. These demo sessions will allow users to test the headset and explore its immersive features in a real-world setting. While more details on these demo sessions will be released once pre-orders begin, the initiative reflects Apple’s commitment to giving customers a hands-on opportunity with the device before making a purchase. Although Taiwan is the latest to receive the Vision Pro, India has not been included in Apple’s global expansion for the headset.
Since its debut in the United States in February 2024, Apple has expanded the availability of the Vision Pro steadily. The device became available in markets such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore over the summer months. Recently, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates were added to the list. Despite the ongoing global expansion, the Vision Pro has yet to make its debut in India. Apple has not made any official announcements about when or if the device will be available in the country. Given that India is one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets, this omission has raised some questions among analysts.
One key reason for the delay could be the Vision Pro’s high price point. The headset is priced at $3,499 in the U.S., which makes it a premium product that targets a niche audience rather than a mass-market consumer base. Analysts speculate that the same high price would be mirrored in India, with the cost possibly approaching Rs 3 lakh once the device is eventually launched in the country. This steep price could pose significant challenges to Apple’s goal of achieving widespread adoption, even among its loyal customer base in India, where premium products typically face challenges due to the price sensitivity of a large portion of the population.
While the Vision Pro’s international rollout continues, Apple is reportedly already planning for the next generation of its mixed-reality headset. According to well-known industry insiders, such as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the second-generation Vision Pro is expected to arrive between late 2025 and early 2026. This new iteration of the headset will likely include incremental improvements to the existing design, with a focus on internal upgrades. Notably, the new device is expected to feature the advanced M5 chip, which is expected to be unveiled in 2025 alongside new iPad Pro and Mac models. The M5 chip is anticipated to provide substantial performance enhancements, enabling the Vision Pro to deliver an even more seamless and powerful mixed-reality experience.
Apple’s strategy for its Vision product line may also be evolving, with reports suggesting that the company is considering an alternative approach to broadening its customer base. While there were initial plans for a lower-cost version of the Vision Pro, these have reportedly been postponed. Instead, Apple might opt for a device that functions as an accessory to its iPhones. This new device would potentially feature a simplified design with a display and battery, while computational tasks would be handled by a paired iPhone. By offloading processing power to the iPhone, Apple could drastically reduce the cost of the headset, making the mixed-reality experience more accessible to a larger audience. This strategy would also allow Apple to leverage the power of its existing iPhone ecosystem, creating a more affordable entry point for consumers interested in exploring mixed-reality technology.
Ultimately, as Apple continues to refine its Vision Pro and explore future iterations of mixed-reality devices, the company is carefully considering how to make this technology more accessible without sacrificing its premium brand image. Whether through improved hardware or changes in product lineup, Apple is focused on ensuring that its mixed-reality offerings remain at the forefront of the rapidly growing AR/VR market, with a continued emphasis on seamless integration and user experience.
