When does the Apple Vision Pro headset go on sale?

NEW YORK (CNN) — Apple announced this Monday that its Vision Pro mixed reality headset will go on sale in the United States on February 2 and that pre-orders will begin on January 19.

The Vision Pro headset, Apple’s riskiest and most ambitious new hardware offering in years, is also one of its most expensive products. Its starting price is US$3,500. The company announced Monday that the device will have 256 GB of storage and that prescription glasses can be purchased for $149. Reading glasses start at $99.

In a statement announcing the Vision Pro’s release date, CEO Tim Cook didn’t mince his words: “Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever,” Cook said. “Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create and explore.”

The launch of the Vision Pro marks Cook’s first major hardware product launch at Apple in seven years and only the third during his tenure as CEO.

The device resembles ski goggles and its underlying technology allows users to overlay virtual images over live videos from the real world. Unlike other viewers on the market, Apple’s mixed reality device will show its users’ eyes out, as the company demonstrated last June.

The Vision Pro will have its own operating system, called VisionOS, as well as a new three-dimensional user interface and an input system controlled by the user’s eyes, hands and voice.

The product is expected to face a number of challenges as Apple plunges into an unpredictable market filled with other tech companies that have tried and largely failed to find widespread traction for their hardware devices. Additionally, its high price has caused a stir since it was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Apple shares rose 1.5% in early trading on Monday following the announcement of the Vision Pro’s release date. Apple’s announcement also comes as part of CES, the annual technology industry convention held in Las Vegas this week.