How much does it cost Apple to manufacture the Vision Pro headphones?

• $3,500 is the price of Apple’s new Vision Pro
• Chinese researchers have tried to estimate the cost of manufacturing such a product
• The high cost of components does not promise democratization for several years

The Apple Vision Pro, the latest innovation from the brains of Apple, has already begun to attract the interest of specialists in the technology sector. Apple’s first flocked mixed reality headset promises an immersive experience like never before with intuitive controls that use the user’s eyes, hands and voice.

To achieve this, Apple has equipped itself with the ultimate available technologies. And inevitably, this has a price: 3,500 dollars (excluding taxes) for those who would like to afford it (only on American soil). This extremely high price is enough to give cold sweats. But by the way, how much does such an innovation cost Apple?

The Vision Pro costs Apple over $1,500 just to make it

Chinese researchers from Wellsenn XR have taken an interest in this subject to try to give us an idea of ​​the cost of manufacturing this futuristic device. According to their estimates, the Vision Pro would cost Apple over $1,500 to manufacture, including labor.

The biggest expense in the production of this helmet is in its two MicroOLED screens, signed Sony, the price of which amounts to 350 dollars per unit. This is followed by labor and assembly costs, which are estimated at around $130 at LuxShare. In terms of internal components, the Apple M2, the same chip found in the manufacturer’s latest laptops including the latest Macbook Air 15, costs $120. It comes with a brand new R1 chip, costing around $60.

The structure of the helmet, made of aluminum and glass (while the majority of competitors use plastic) also costs a significant sum: around 120 dollars. Finally, note that the external battery is estimated at only 15 dollars.

More than 1,500 dollars of manufacturing cost for 3,500 dollars of selling price: one would be tempted to say that Apple does not skimp on its margin. Of course, we don’t worry too much about the finances of the company with the largest cash reserve in the world. However, it would be dishonest to be satisfied with the manufacturing price to highlight such a gap between the cost for Apple and that for its customers.

Apple Vision Pro BOM table
Total cost: $1509

The component with the highest proportion in manufacturing cost is the Sony display, costing $700. Next is the assembly cost for LuxShare, which is $130, followed by the $120 M2 processor. pic.twitter.com/YNZUeiwcp1

—Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) June 7, 2023

Not for everyone, not for now

These estimates do not take into account the 10 years of research and development required for such a product. Ten years during which engineers (very well paid) shaped this product of tomorrow. Nor do they take into account the 5,000 patents filed, investment in production chains, failed trials, marketing costs, etc.

This study even reveals that the cost of an innovation for Apple does not allow it to make the same profits as with a mature product like the iPhone. The Vision Pro is reserved for an audience ofearly adoptersready to invest crazy sums to taste the future before anyone else.

The work of Chinese researchers also reminds us that the mixed reality market is still nascent and that the technologies to experience it are still expensive. Firstly because they are innovative, then because they are rare, finally because their production does not reach volumes allowing economies of scale to be achieved.

So many challenges that do not announce a democratization of these helmets for several years. If the public feels ready to adopt them.