Tech giant Apple has reportedly put the development of its second-generation high-end virtual reality headset, the Vision Pro 2, on hold and shifted its focus to a more affordable Vision product, according to a new report from The Information, citing people involved in its manufacturing and supply chain.
Apple working on a cheaper Vision Pro that could cost as much as an iPhone
Not just this, the number of employees allocated to Vision Pro 2’s development has also been gradually decreased, the report added.
Apple has been exploring ways to reduce the cost of components for the first premium model, the Vision Pro, and is working on a cheaper version of the headset with fewer features slated for release by the end of 2025.
For those unaware, Apple announced the Vision Pro at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 5, 2023, and began pre-orders of the mixed-reality headset on January 19, 2024. In February 2024, it became exclusively available for purchase at $3,499 in the United States.
However, the device was criticized for being too expensive and too heavy, making it less comfortable for prolonged use. Also, sales of the Vision Pro have slowed down, which has likely made Apple rethink its decision to work on the next version of its premium mixed-reality device.
“Apple has told at least one supplier that it has suspended work on its next high-end Vision headset, an employee at a manufacturer that makes key components for the Vision Pro said. The pullback comes as analysts and supply chain partners have flagged slowing sales of the $3,500 device,” the Information report said.
With the decline in the sales of the Vision Pro, Apple is now looking to work on a new lighter and more cost-effective headset, referred to as “N109” internally, the report added.
The company plans to reduce the weight of the cheaper Vision Pro by “at least one-third” by forgoing some features that Apple may not consider important for the headset. This may also possibly include a simplified headband, smaller speakers, and fewer cameras. However, it is not expected to compromise on the device’s high-resolution displays that distinguish the Vision Pro.
Moreover, the Cupertino giant is aiming to price the upcoming budget-friendly Vision headset around $1,500, which is similar to the price of a high-end iPhone.
Reports indicate that Apple may resume work on the Vision Pro 2 in the future, but for now, the headset’s development has been paused. The company plans to focus and channel its efforts into developing a more affordable Vision headset for its anticipated launch by late 2025.