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Here's How Much It Costs Apple to Make a Vision Pro Headset

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Starting at $3,500, Apple's Vision Pro price puts it at the top-end of the AR/VR headset market, but a significant portion of the cost is down to the device's premium "bill of materials," which is thought to come in at just over $1,500.

Making Vision Pro
According to Omdia's research, the components used in Vision Pro are estimated to cost Apple a total of $1,542. The most expensive component is said to be the two 1.25-inch micro-OLED displays inside the headset, one for each eye. The displays provide a total of 23 million pixels, which Apple says is "more pixels than a 4K TV." Omdia estimates that Apple pays $228 for each display, or $456 per headset.

The second most expensive components are the M2 and R1 chips. The M2 is the main processor, which is the same chip that was first introduced in the 2022 MacBook Air. The M2 is responsible for processing content, running the visionOS operating system, executing computer vision algorithms, and providing graphical content. The R1 chip is responsible for all of the information coming from the cameras, sensors, and microphones. Together they cost Apple a total of $240.

As noted by CNBC, it is hard to extrapolate Apple's profit margin from these estimated figures, since they do not take into account research and development costs, packaging, shipping, sales, marketing, and any capital expenditures that can add up-front costs to large parts orders. Nevertheless, they do give an idea of how expensive the parts alone are in a given device.

Apple is expected to produce fewer than 400,000 Vision Pro headsets in 2024 due to the complexity of manufacturing, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, Apple is said to be already working on a new version of the Apple Vision Pro that will be priced more affordably. The chips in the device are likely to be on par with the iPhone rather than Mac-level chips, and Apple may also use lower resolution internal displays and cheaper materials. It could also drop the outward-facing EyeSight feature that lets other people see a simulated rendering of the wearer's eyes.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that Apple is working on a next-generation version of the Vision Pro that could see a launch sometime in late 2025.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

NinjaHERO Avatar
NinjaHERO
33 months ago
I just want a nice set of HUD glasses that bluetooth to my phone. Let my phone be the “computer”. Much simpler and lighter.

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Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G5isAlive Avatar
G5isAlive
33 months ago

$2,000 profit per headset? :eek: They could've sold it for $2,000 - $2,500. Can't blame them though...they know people are daft enough to pay $3,500 so why not?

I'm looking forward to the $4,500 headset... why do you think they called it the Vision Pro? There will be a Vision Pro Max/Ultra.

I think it's safe to say the line up will look something like:

Vision SE - $1,500 - $500-750 profit
Vision (standard) - $2,000 - $750-1,000 profit
Vision Plus - $2,500 - $1,500 profit
Vision Pro - $3,500 - $2,000 profit
Vision Ultra - $4,500 - $2,500 profit
3500-1500= 2000 profit?

Buzzzzz wrong answer. That’s the raw materials cost. Maybe. But let’s assume it’s accurate it does not include cost of setting up a new assembly line or labor costs or distribution costs, and all that is after the R&D costs which are not free. That all adds up to considerable costs.

Or do you go into restaurants and complain about the price of a steak because you can buy a pound of beef for cheaper at your grocery store?

You’ve been around enough to know better.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
phewlo
33 months ago

$2,000 profit per headset? :eek: They could've sold it for $2,000 - $2,500. Can't blame them though...they know people are daft enough to pay $3,500 so why not?

I'm looking forward to the $4,500 headset... why do you think they called it the Vision Pro? There will be a Vision Pro Max/Ultra.

I think it's safe to say the line up will look something like:

Vision SE - $1,500 - $500-750 profit
Vision (standard) - $2,000 - $750-1,000 profit
Vision Plus - $2,500 - $1,500 profit
Vision Pro - $3,500 - $2,000 profit
Vision Ultra - $4,500 - $2,500 profit
Where in the article did it say they were making a $2,000 profit per headset sold? 🙄
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
Blackstick
33 months ago
That doesn’t include the considerable R&D. They have patents for this product going back 15 or more years.

There was some diagrams where a headset was connected to an iPod of the era. Imagine coming to Apple in 2005 and this shipping in 2024. More than half your professional career spent on a product that took almost 20 years to ship. Wild.

With Vision Pro it’s not so much about today, it’s about where it could be in 5 years, 10 years? Price will come down, but I don’t foresee this product line ever being a $299 iPad or $899 MacBook Air. A $499 Quest competing with the PlayStation during Black Friday, Apple isn’t going for.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
leman
33 months ago

Typical Apple margin
With insane, R&D, huge production line setup costs, and low volume, I’d be surprised if Apple makes a lot of money of the first Vision Pro. To them, it’s an investment in the future, not a quick cash grab.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
Blackstick
33 months ago

No need to state the obvious, especially when it literally says it right there in the article...you read it, right?

As noted by CNBC ('https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/24/apples-vision-pro-why-its-so-expensive.html'), it is hard to extrapolate Apple's profit margin from these estimated figures, since they do not take into account research and development costs
Not sure if you’re new here but this is MacRumors. By mid morning, you’ll have plenty of comments arguing both sides, “it’s factored in”, “no it’s not!”

The obvious should always be stated.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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