Apple Vision Pro pre-orders are live. Here’s what you need to know
Update:
Online pre-orders for the Vision Pro are live on Apple's online store. The process confirms that Apple's first headset is available only to residents of the US as of now. The price of the headset remains as $3,499 for the 256GB version, accessories included, but excluding any sort of prescription lenses. As suspected, the workflow requires you to have access to an iPhone or iPad that supports Face ID.
The original article follows below:
Now, months have passed, it’s 2024 and today, on January 19 at 08:00 ET, pre-orders for the Vision Pro will go live exclusively on the Apple Store. But this affair won’t be as easy as “add to cart and check out”. So let me help you prepare to get your Vision Pro order in as effortlessly as possible.
What do I need to know about Vision Pro pre-orders?
Essentially, there are two things you must know and then two other things that you need to consider. Let’s start with the more important duo:
- Make sure that you’ve got an iPad Pro or iPhone with face-scanning capabilities
Before you can submit your Vision Pro order to Apple, the company will need to take your measurements in order to pack in the right head straps and accessories with the headset. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about fetching a ruler, as the process is an automated face scan.
That does, however, mean that you will need a device that can enable you to participate in said process, as in: an iPad Pro or iPhone that can take face scans. If you need a refresher, that means any model from iPhone X going forward and either a Gen 3 or later 12.9" iPad Pro or any of the 11" iPad Pro models.
- Make sure that your App Store is updated
Because that’s where you’ll need to go in order to take the face scan. Rather convenient, right? The last update to the App Store on your device should be from January 11, 2024 and as far as we are aware: Apple isn’t planning to release a new update just before Vision Pro pre-orders go live.
But how do you check if there are any updates, which you haven't installed yet? Well, simple: those typically go through your general software updates, so if you've got something pending under Settings → General → Software Updates, you should make sure to install it before the time comes to pre-order your Vision Pro unit.
For the time being, it appears that those who don’t own an iPhone or any other device with face-scanning capabilities, won’t be able to pre-order the Vision Pro. Anyone that falls within this group, but still wants to get a Vision Pro, will have to wait until the headset is available in physical Apple Store locations.
Ok then, let’s move on to the two other things that you need to be aware of regarding the Vision Pro pre-orders:
Apple will need to validate your prescription —- probably through another scan or photo — so you’ll need to have yours around and for its date to still be valid at the time of pre-order. If you’re in need of lenses, you should keep in mind that they will cost you extra on top.
But what if I don’t have an iPhone or iPad Pro?
For the time being, it appears that those who don’t own an iPhone or any other device with face-scanning capabilities, won’t be able to pre-order the Vision Pro. Anyone that falls within this group, but still wants to get a Vision Pro, will have to wait until the headset is available in physical Apple Store locations.
- If you need prescription lenses, have a valid vision prescription on hand
Apple will need to validate your prescription —- probably through another scan or photo — so you’ll need to have yours around and for its date to still be valid at the time of pre-order. If you’re in need of lenses, you should keep in mind that they will cost you extra on top.
There will be two types of lenses available, created in collaboration with Zeiss:
Now, this one is still a rumor. The exact number differs from source to source, but it’s always said to be less than 10,000 units available at launch. Newer report bump those numbers up to 70, 000. It doesn’t seem like too many people will be rushing in to buy Apple’s headset, but you never know.
Hence, if you’re certain that you want to invest in Apple’s spatial computer, make sure that you’re prepared properly and are ready to place your pre-order when the time comes on January 19 at 08:00 ET on Apple’s online store.
But don’t worry: even if something doesn’t work out or you want to see the device in-person before you commit to a $3,500 purchase, you can still look forward to the Vision Pro’s launch on February 2: less than two weeks from now.
- Readers, priced at $90
- Prescription, priced at $150
When you reach this part of the process, you'll be asked the following questions:
- Do you wear glasses?
- Do you wear contacts?
- What kind are they?
- And do they have any specifics beyond that, such as cosmetic features for contacts
- There will be a limited quantity of Vision Pro headsets to go around
Now, this one is still a rumor. The exact number differs from source to source, but it’s always said to be less than 10,000 units available at launch. Newer report bump those numbers up to 70, 000. It doesn’t seem like too many people will be rushing in to buy Apple’s headset, but you never know.
But don’t worry: even if something doesn’t work out or you want to see the device in-person before you commit to a $3,500 purchase, you can still look forward to the Vision Pro’s launch on February 2: less than two weeks from now.
Now that pre-orders for the Vision Pro have gone live, another thing has become clear: this is strictly a US-based launch. Apple is planning to bring an international version of the Vision Pro, later in 2024. For the time being, we don't know when that might happen, but we do know that anyone who purchases the headset and attempts to use it outside of the US may face limitations.
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