Launched earlier this year at a whopping $3,499, Apple’s Vision Pro headset hasn’t changed many units…and we never really expected it, given its obviously limited budget appeal. In the long term, however, Apple wants to target more consumers with its spatial computing platform, which means finding a way to bring down the price of headsets.
Currently, the priority of Cupertino’s Vision Products Group (VPG) is to develop a cheaper successor to Vision Pro, currently named N107. But a new report from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reveals the difficulties VPG faced in making this product a reality and the slow pace at which future Vision products are likely to launch.
In a nutshell, the problem is that Vision Pro is expensive and for good reason: it’s an exceptionally well-equipped piece of hardware packed with cutting-edge, high-end technology. And any compromise in any of the obvious areas will result in significant reductions in the quality of the user experience, which is at the heart of how Apple hopes to convince people to take the daunting step into spatial computing. Gurman calls these decisions “difficult compromises.”
Apple may have to reduce the quality and features of the Vision Pro successor to bring the price down.
Apple may have to reduce the quality and features of the Vision Pro successor to bring the price down.
Foundry
Apple may have to reduce the quality and features of the Vision Pro successor to bring the price down.
Foundry
Foundry
Apple, for example, could remove the outer EyeSight display entirely, but that would mean losing the feature that shows users’ eyes to other people — an imperfect but important move to combat the potentially antisocial nature of fully enclosed headsets. Or Apple could reduce processor power or passthrough visual quality, each of which makes the experience less immersive and compelling. And even if the price would be reduced by these measures, it would likely still cost multiples of competing devices (“At $1,500, the product would cost three times as much as Meta’s competing devices,” Gurman calculates) while not offering more the state’s offer. state-of-the-art configuration of Vision Pro.
Alternatively, the device could have a narrower field of view or be connected to a companion iPhone or Mac. Neither of these changes sound appealing, but they are two approaches currently being taken with prototype units in Cupertino.
And that’s the conundrum Apple faces. With Vision Pro, the company is trying to sell the future, but the only way to get closer to that future using today’s technology is to spend big on the best components. Spatial computing isn’t really ready yet, but it won’t be until customers show interest and investors invest in the concept. And to generate customer interest, Apple needs a compelling offer now.
For the less expensive version of the headset, “now” is simply too early. Apple hopes to release Vision (without the Pro) in late 2025, still 18 months away, and plans may have to change between now and then. If that seems distant to you, keep in mind that the high-end Vision Pro successor (codenamed N109) isn’t expected to arrive until late 2026. as soon as possible. And Gurman believes the rumored launch of Apple’s thin augmented reality glasses in 2027 is too optimistic.
In other words, Apple is playing the long game. But we must hope that the market does not turn to competing offers in the meantime.
