Sony refuses to increase Vision Pro screen production capacity for Apple
Even as analysts predict limited supplies of the Apple Vision Pro at launch, Apple has apparently asked Sony to make more of the headset's eye screens -- and Sony has said no.
It had been expected that a small number of Apple Vision Pro headsets might be on sale for the holidays, until Tim Cook quashed that by saying they'll go on sale early in 2024. Whenever the headset is available to buy, though, it's believed that Apple will start by making a limited number of under 100,000 devices in its first year.
Apple is already looking to the future though, and not only with the rumors of a lower-cost second edition of the headset. According to The Elec, Apple has asked Sony to be ready to make more.
The Elec does not specify where this news originates, nor does it report why Sony is believed to have refused. However, it does say that Sony already has the capacity to make 900,000 of the OLEDos (OLED On Silicon) screens used in the Vision Pro, the screens that users watch.
Contradicting its own figures, however, The Elec also states that Sony is only able to supply Apple with between 100,000 and 200,000 per quarter. That would mean a total of 800,000 panels.
Presuming that the count is of one panel per eye in the headset, this means The Elec's sources conclude Apple can only make a maximum of around 400,000 Vision Pro headsets in 2023.
This does also presume that only Sony can manufacture them. The Elec repeats previous reports that Sony is the sole supplier at present, and also claims without substantiation, that it is unlikely Apple will take on more.
That may of course change, and perhaps it will in time for the second generation model.
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Comments
Next Up — Apple manufacturing its own parts. That would dramatically simplify logistics, lower costs, and allow them to prioritize on their own schedule.
Yes, wasn't it already reported that the success rate is only like 20% or something? 80% of screens were defective? That definitely needs to improve, as it likely generates a LOT of e-waste.
Additionally, no company should commit to contracts they can't be sure they can follow through with—especially when Apple is drawing up the contracts. I have some detailed knowledge of what it would be like to miss contractual obligations with Apple, and since Sony is the source for these panels they aren't really going to hurt themselves by erring on the side of caution.
The usual way (invented by Tim Cook) Apple works in these circumstances, just to drop a few billion dollars to pay for the manufacturing plants being built, and then get precedence on the manufactured items at a reduced price as a payoff for the loan. Worked wonders multiple times and makes perfect sense for a company that acutally has a war chest worth talking about. (Most companies are stripped of all cash reserves and have to run into debt to make such an offer. Which would make it financially too expensive)
My own assumptions: It's awesome and too expensive for me. Just like the Apple Watch, iPhone, etc. and I caved on all of them. I think it will be easier to hold out on this one but eventually (when the price comes down) I will love it.
This comes up from time to time but every time Apple wants to make an Apple monitor. Apple always wants something more than what LG and Samsung are making for their monitors, usually a lot more. Apple must have something similar set up for monitor displays. They always seem to know what they’re doing at a design and engineering level.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/16/04/29/exclusive-apples-top-secret-athena-chip-fab-gets-new-delicate-equipment
Sony actually revealed the product over a year ago. We just didn't know Apple was buying it for their Vision Pro