The rumor mill is churning: Apple has reportedly stopped work on the second generation of its Vision Pro headset. Instead, the company is concentrating on developing a more affordable model. But what does this mean for the future of the Vision product line?
The Apple Vision Pro series has attracted a lot of attention since the first model came onto the market. With its advanced technology and high-resolution display, it set new standards in the world of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). However, the high costs deterred many potential customers. Now Apple seems to be taking a new approach to make its Vision headsets more accessible to a wider target group.
Discontinuation of work on the second generation of the Vision Pro
Apple has stopped development of the second generation of its Vision Pro headset. According to a report by The Information, the company has made this decision to focus on a more affordable model. This news comes as a surprise, as many had expected Apple to split its Vision product line into a "Pro" model and a less expensive standard model. Over the past year, Apple has reportedly assigned fewer and fewer employees to the Vision Pro project, focusing instead on reducing the cost of the first model's components and developing an improved display for the next generation. One supplier has already been informed that work on the next generation of the Vision Pro has been discontinued. Nevertheless, Apple is still working on a cheaper "Vision" product with fewer features.
Development of a more affordable vision device
Apple has been working on a more affordable Vision device, codenamed "N109", since 2022. The aim is to sell this model at a price comparable to that of a high-end iPhone, i.e. around USD 1,600. Although Apple planned to launch this device at the end of 2024, there was still no firm prototype at the beginning of this year. Difficulties in reducing costs without sacrificing too many features could push back the release date to the end of 2025. Apple wants to integrate the high-quality display components of the Vision Pro into the more affordable model. These components are among the most expensive in the device and are to be retained despite the lower price. The cheaper model will have fewer cameras, a simpler headband and smaller speakers, but will be at least a third lighter than the Vision Pro.
Challenges and production problems
A supplier that makes key components for the Vision Pro cut production by 50 % in May after Apple predicted weaker-than-expected demand. Until August, Apple did not plan to significantly increase production and has not produced more than 500,000 Vision Pro units this year. This development could indicate that Apple may resume work on a second-generation Vision Pro headset at a later date. But until then, it remains to be seen how the company will continue to develop its Vision product line and whether the more affordable model will bring the hoped-for success.
Apple focuses on affordability: Vision Pro 2 halted for the time being
Apple has caused a stir with its decision to stop work on the second generation of the Vision Pro headset. Instead, the company is now concentrating on developing a more affordable model to appeal to a broader target group. Whether this change in strategy will bring the desired success remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: the Vision product line remains an exciting topic that keeps the tech world on its toes. (Image: Apple)
