Recent reports indicate that Apple is not currently developing any redesigned Vision headsets, shifting its focus instead to smart glasses.
Apple’s Initial Strategy
Following the Vision Pro’s launch in mid-2023, Apple reportedly redirected its efforts toward the “Vision Air,” aimed at offering spatial computing to a broader consumer base with a lighter, slimmer, and significantly more affordable headset.
Apple intended to reduce weight by over 40% and cut costs by approximately 50%, making mixed reality more accessible. The Vision Air would utilize cheaper display technology and simpler optics while enhancing comfort.
On the premium side, a redesigned Vision Pro 2 was planned for development, delayed until after the Vision Air’s release and expected to arrive around 2028. This next-generation flagship would have focused on enhanced comfort, advanced displays, improved battery life, and a reduced price, thereby establishing a dual-tier product strategy comparable to the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and AirPods lines.
Changes to the Product Roadmap
By mid-2024, the initial enthusiasm for the Vision Pro started to wane, prompting changes in the product roadmap. Reports revealed that Apple had halted progress on the Vision Pro 2 to concentrate on the Vision Air, trying to accelerate its release amidst concerns that the Pro’s high cost, bulkiness, discomfort, and limited applications reduced its market appeal.
Originally, Apple aimed to release the Vision Pro 2 by late 2024, but by mid-2024, a firm prototype was still not available. Challenges in cost reduction without significant feature compromises pushed the expected release date back to late 2025.
Ceasing Headset Development
Recent news from Bloomberg stated that Apple has also paused work on the lower-priced Vision Air, redirecting efforts towards developing a glasses product to compete more effectively with Meta. If these reports hold true, Apple has indeed suspended development of both headset models, leaving it without any active headset projects.
M5 Vision Pro Update
As Apple prepares to introduce its M5 chip family, the current Vision Pro still operates on the 2022 M2 chip. Apple might refresh the existing Vision Pro with the M5 chip and introduce a second-generation co-processor referred to as the “R2,” alongside a new “Dual Knit” headband. This update aims to keep the device relevant while utilizing existing component inventory from the first generation.
Future Prospects
The anticipated M5 Vision Pro is expected to provide a modest update for current users and potential customers. However, it might not achieve widespread popularity or fundamentally change the user experience. As Apple gears up to launch its first smart glasses within the next year, the possibilities of resuming development on the Vision Air and Vision Pro 2 remain open post-launch. In the coming years, the original headset may find itself in a unique situation, with outdated hardware on the market and no successors in sight.
At present, visionOS 26 and the upcoming M5 refresh signify Apple’s ongoing commitment to mixed reality headsets, but the future of the product line amid a notable shift toward smart glasses and artificial intelligence remains uncertain.
