Apple has started shipping its mixed-reality headset in China, with a retail price approximately 18% higher than in the United States. According to CNBC, a customer named Chen from Beijing suggested to Apple CEO Tim Cook a reduction of about 10,000 yuan, equivalent to $1,376, in the price of the Vision Pro. On Friday, several trending posts on the Chinese social media platform Weibo focused on the hashtag "is it worth investing in the Chinese edition of Vision Pro," as translated by CNBC.
Apple's mixed-reality headset has commenced deliveries in Hangzhou, China, priced at 29,999 yuan, approximately 18% higher than its $3,500 price tag in the U.S.
In an interview with CNBC, a customer known as Chen from Beijing recommended to Apple CEO Tim Cook a price reduction of around 10,000 yuan ($1,376) for the Vision Pro. Chen, who opted not to disclose his full name due to concerns over foreign media, highlighted that many Chinese consumers may consider purchasing secondhand Vision Pro units from non-Apple sellers due to potentially lower prices.
On Friday, discussions on the Chinese social media platform Weibo centered around the hashtag "is it worth paying for the China version of Vision Pro," according to CNBC's translation.
Apple's recent revenue filings indicated that Greater China accounted for about 18% of its total revenue for the quarter ending March 30. The company faces growing competition from domestic brands such as Huawei, amid increasing scrutiny over national security concerns.
Chen, who had preordered the Vision Pro, was among the customers present at a prominent Beijing store for device collection and orientation.
Apple store representatives reported fully booked half-hour training slots for Vision Pro preorders from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Beijing.
Chinese tech giants including Tencent, Alibaba, and JD.com have introduced versions of their apps tailored for shopping, gaming, and video content consumption on the Vision Pro platform.