Apple Releases Vision Pro, The Most Expensive AR Headset Is IDR 54.2 Million, Meta's Quest Pro Competitor

Apple launched the Vision Pro 2 February device. (photo: x @tim_cook)

JAKARTA - Apple announced on Monday January 8 that its Vision Pro device will be available in the United States starting February 2, months after its launch to capture the augmented reality (AR) headset market dominated by Meta Platforms, Facebook's parent company.

Vision Pro is Apple's most expensive bet since the launch of the iPhone more than a decade ago. This AR headset is valued at $3,499, more than triple the most expensive headset price in Meta's mixed and virtual reality devices.

The era of spatial computing has arrived! Apple Vision Pro is available in the US on February 2. pic.twitter.com/5BK1jyEnZN

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 8, 2024

The era of spatial computing has arrived! Apple Vision Pro is available in the US on February 2. pic.twitter.com/5BK1jyEnZN

Vision Pro from Apple can be ordered earlier from January 19 at 5 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST), the company said in a statement. This device uses a new chip called R1 which will process information from its sensors in less than an instant.

The headset will test a crowded market with devices that have not gained significant traction among consumers, and put them in direct competition with Meta after years of conflict over user privacy concerns and developer platform controls.

Keep in mind that the device must always be connected to electric resources. Apple says it has tried to reduce headset weight by using an external battery that can operate for up to 2 hours.

Meta's top mixed reality device, Quest Pro, which combines virtual reality with real-world video feeds, offers about two hours of live battery life on headsets, without the need for external batteries.

In September, Apple launched a series of new iPhones with titanium shells, faster chips, and increased capabilities to play video games, but did not raise prices given the global slowdown in smartphone sales.