According to reports from The Information, Apple’s plans for the Vision Pro headset are also in flux. According to sources in Apple’s supply chain, development on the second-gen Vision Pro is dead. The surmising points toward softer demand for Apple’s Spatial Computer, introduced a half year ago to great anticipation.
Apple to Delay Vision Pro 2
With that being said, that doesn’t mean Apple will not introduce some Vision Pro line. Apparently, the company is going to concentrate on a cheaper model of the Vision headset aimed at a release in 2021. This is pitched at the market segment presumably not ready to spend $3499 for a top-tier headset.
At the start, Apple intended the Vision Pro lineup to have two models: a high-end variant with extra capabilities, presumably the Vision Pro 2, and a lower-cost standard design. The Master Edition is completed and no further updates are planned for the Pro version, but work is not done yet on the base model. During the past 12 months, Apple has turned off the spigot of AR glasses hype in favor of focusing on Vision Pro’s follow-up efforts.
Apple began work on a less expensive “N109” mixed-reality headset in 2022 that came in at the price range of a top-of-the-line iPhone ($1,599). The project was scheduled to be released in late 2024, so it seems that it has been delayed.
The real problem for Apple is to bring that price down without hobbling any of the required bits. They were originally looking at a model that would use lower-cost components and a higher-resolution display for the next generation. Apple has now told suppliers to pause work on the Vision Pro 2, but work on the cheaper “Vision” version is said to be continuing – albeit in a downgraded form. Further delays beyond the revised 2025 launch objective are expected.
The same treatment is expected for Apple’s cheaper model, which will also keep the display quality down just like the Vision Pro, and may also keep premium elements while downsizing some of the materials, including the headband, the camera count, and even the sizes of the speakers. Apple also plans to make at least one-third light red than the estimated weight of 150 grams of the Vision Pro that is on the market today.
An Apple supplier cut production of components for Vision Pro by 50% in January due to the weaker forecast. The tech giant made under 500,000 Vision Pro devices in total this year, with no more production scheduled until sometime after August.
Despite its technological marvels, the Vision Pro is also a moderately crowded price class got the Vision Pro, and its price may well keep it from that whole global adoption schtick that Apple loves to Gloat about. The upcoming affordable version aims to pivot Apple’s strategy and revitalize interest in the Vision Pro line.
FAQs
What is the difference between Apple’s Vision Pro and the upcoming affordable headset?
The Vision Pro is a high-end model with advanced features and a high price tag, while the affordable headset will offer fewer features at a lower cost, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Why did Apple suspend work on the Vision Pro 2?
Apple paused development on the Vision Pro 2 due to lower-than-expected demand for its Spatial Computer products. Instead, the company plans to prioritize the development of a more affordable headset to broaden its market appeal.
