Knowing how many Vision Pro mixed reality headsets Apple sold in its first weekend isn't easy, but finding out if everyone legitimately bought one is even harder.
Estimates put Vision Pro sales over the weekend at around 180,000 units, and while Apple hasn't confirmed, there are some indications that the Cupertino tech giant sold out of Spatial Computing's launch product. However, a quick perusal of the popular eBay auction site shows hundreds and hundreds of Vision Pro headphones.
Since Apple hasn't shipped its first Vision Pro yet (pre-orders started on January 19 and it will ship on February 2), most eBay auction offerings appear to be pre-order placeholders. In an auction announcement, the seller wrote (all capital letters his):
“THIS IS A PREORDER THAT ARRIVES ON FEBRUARY 2! I SHIP IT THE SAME DAY AS LONG AS IT ARRIVES BEFORE 4PM.”
Some listings show a commercial image of the Vision Pro, while others are simply proof of an existing pre-order. Prices range from under $600 to over $7,000. The base 256GB model is currently priced at $3,499.99 (Vision Pro does not ship outside the US).
While margins are expected on eBay offerings, it's hard to imagine anyone paying double for the yet-untested mixed reality headset. More worrying are offers of less than $1,000. There is no way for a seller to pay Apple's roughly $3,500 upfront costs and then take a loss. Low prices are simply an incentive to generate interest and offers.
What's all the excitement and unsurprising activity on eBay? Apple Vision Pro is special. It is Apple's first new product category since the Apple Watch of 2015. Apple is trying with this powerful and powerful laptop (it has M2 and R1 chips inside) to launch a completely new Spatial Computing category.
I have had four experiences with the Vision Pro and I agree that it is unlike anything on the market. I'm especially impressed with its gaze and gesture tracking and its ability to seamlessly go from full immersion to partial and finally full immersion with realistic augmented reality. It has the potential to change entertainment, communication, gaming, and productivity. It also has a high chance of failure, since consumers still don't fully understand why they should spend thousands of dollars on something they can only use by putting it in their head.
If you're thinking about bidding on any of these eBay deals, understand that off-brand pricing isn't your only concern. You cannot apply for Vision Pro without taking a facial scan to ensure you get the correct light seal. The eBay seller did the scan and there is no guarantee that his face size and shape will match (some list the light stamp size to help you match your face size).
Plus, if you wear glasses, you'll need special Zeiss inserts between $99 and $149 to correct your vision inside the Vision Pro. Otherwise, the system's two 4K microLED displays will look terrible. Without using Apple's guided ordering system, you won't be able to receive the correct inserts at the same time you receive the headphones from the seller.
I've contacted Apple about the eBay listings to see if they have any concerns. I imagine they won't be happy with that.
