Can You Resell the Apple Vision Pro?

News

By RC Staff

18 January 2024

Apple’s all new $3,500 VR/AR headset is almost here, and with it, a whole lot of contradictory chatter has arrived in the world of resellers. We’re here to dispel rumors, demystify some things, and hopefully help you secure a headset on launch day—whether you’re planning to keep it for personal use or not.

Will You Be Able to Resell Vision Pro?

Long story short, yes.

When the Apple Vision Pro was first announced back in June, resellers started foaming at the mouth. With PS5s (finally) accessible again, they needed the next “big score”, and the Vision Pro fit the bill: new, Apple, shiny, futuristic, and most importantly… drumroll please… suffering from a production shortage! Things were looking great for would-be Vision Pro scalpers.

That is, until last week. 

Apple sent out a message to US customers sharing steps to be prepared for the Vision Pro’s January 19th preorder window opening.

Notably, this message not only revealed that a facial scan would be required for ordering the Vision Pro and also confirmed that there would be various sizing configurations, unique to the user ordering—customizable sizing being something you definitely don’t want if you’re a reseller. Who’s going to pay a markup for something that won’t fit their face?

When this message started propagating through reseller Discord communities, it understandably created a whirlwind of doubt regarding the device’s prospects as an aftermarket sweetheart.

However, we don’t think resellers have anything to worry about in this regard.

Scanning for size will only be used to determine the proper size for your Light Seal and headband. While there is currently no word on how many sizing options there will be, our assumption is that these swappable components will follow a standard XS, S, M, L, etc. format.

The notion that Apple would release a tailor-made $3,500 device that only works for one specific person is preposterous at best.

How to Order Apple Vision Pro

According to Apple, to order the Vision Pro, you will need either an iPhone or iPad with Face ID enabled (you can view the full list of eligible models here). You’ll also need to update your Apple Store app to the latest release (available as of January 11th).

While the device itself doesn’t release until February 2nd, preorders are first going live on January 19th at 8 AM EST—surprisingly early for the California company, which may be indicative of low stock numbers (Apple usually tries to maximize the amount of people awake during their sales).

The Apple Vision Pro will be launching exclusively in the United States, with an international release to follow later in 2024.

Will Apple Limit Orders?

It is entirely likely that Apple will limit orders to one per person or one per household for the Vision Pro’s launch. However, this limit could theoretically be overcome by utilizing multiple Apple user accounts and a blend of in-store pickup orders and orders for shipment.

Can Apple Limit Orders Based on Face ID?

This is one of the more interesting theories we’ve run into: that Apple will be limiting people to one order via Face ID. While this is quite an idea, it actually isn’t possible. Just like Touch ID, Face ID data is stored locally in the Secure Enclave processor—meaning that even Apple doesn’t have access to it. In essence, your facial data is fully anonymous and there would be no way to tell if the same person used their face across numerous Apple accounts and devices.

How Fast Will It Sell Out?

According to the (generally) reliable Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will have between 60,000 and 80,000 Vision Pros ready by the February 2nd launch.

Yes, $3,500 is a lot for a new toy… But it’s Apple.

Apple is good at a lot of things, and anticipating supply is one of them. So, the fact that Vision Pro has a supply shortage means something. The fact that the Vision Pro has a US-only release means something. And the fact that Apple is releasing preorders at 5 AM West Coast time during Winter perhaps means the most.

Apple doesn’t have enough units to go around, and they know it. While we don’t have a crystal ball, we expect Vision Pro units to be sold out or otherwise backordered within a few hours of launch at most.

How Much Will Apple Vision Pro Resell For?

A number of listings for the Vision Pro have already popped up on eBay ahead of both the release and even preorder date. And two have already sold for $4,875.00 each.

However, aftermarket prices from listings before preorders even went live will likely NOT accurately reflect what the Vision Pro will resell for on and following its February 2nd release date.

Based on our experience with similar category-defining product releases of the past, we anticipate that the Vision Pro will resell for between $4,500 and $7,000 after it releases. This will yield resellers a profit of at least $1,000 per unit before taxes and fees. Expect a large portion of buyers to be international shoppers,  as purchasing on the aftermarket will be their only way to get a Vision Pro in the near future.

While it may seem like the buyer pool for a VR headset at this price range with an aftermarket premium is small, one only has to look back to 2019 to find a comparable example.

Back in 2019, Valve released their Index VR Kit for $999, and although a supply of 149,000 sets was available to consumers in 2019, the device was notoriously difficult to get, constantly sold out, and frequently flipped on the aftermarket for as much as $2,500.

The Apple Vision Pro has less supply, far better specs, and is releasing at a time in which VR/AR is way more mainstream than it was 5 years ago. Not to mention, it’s an Apple device that no doubt has a potential global buying pool in the millions.

If the Vision Pro doesn’t resell, we’d be astonished. And we predict these things for a living.