According to Chinese state media, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced during the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday that the Apple Vision Pro is set to debut in the mainland China market this year. Cook disclosed the launch plan for the headset while speaking to the press, stating that the tech giant will also increase its research and development investments in China. This information was shared by CCTV Finance on its Weibo social account, the media has reported.
In the Chinese market, Apple will face competition from local headset brands like Pico, which is owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, says a report by CNBC. Cook's recent activities in China include visiting a new Apple store in Shanghai and participating in the China Development Forum in Beijing. This visit occurs amidst various challenges that Apple is encountering in the northeast Asian nation.
A recent report hinted at the potential launch of Apple Vision Pro in various countries. The Cupertino-based tech company also introduced its inaugural mixed reality headset, supporting both augmented reality and virtual reality, at the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It became available for purchase in the US in 2024.
Although speculation has surfaced regarding its availability in other regions, Apple has not officially disclosed any expansion plans. However, a recent report has uncovered hints within the device's operating system codes, indicating which countries might be among the first to receive the Vision Pro.
Apple Vision Pro, the inaugural "spatial computer" from Apple, has garnered widespread acclaim from reviewers and consumers. Despite encountering some criticism regarding its weight and potential eye strain, anticipation is high for the upcoming iteration of the Vision Pro. According to a recent report by Mark Gurman of news agency Bloomberg, the successor to the Apple Vision Pro may be "at least 18 months away".
This means there could be a potential release in the second half of 2026. As per Gurman's observations, made after Apple's recent launch of the Vision Pro, indicate that the product is still evolving and presents usability challenges for daily use.
"Apple Inc. is probably at least 18 months away from launching a second-generation Vision Pro," Gurman was quoted as syaing in his latest Power On newsletter.