Apple Pauses Next-Gen Vision Pro Development, Pivots to Cheaper Model: Report

Apple has suspended the development of a Vision Pro successor to focus on a more affordable model slated to debut next year — reports The Information.

According to the publication’s sources, Apple has told at least one supplier that it has paused work on the second-generation Vision Pro. The tech giant is instead pivoting development resources to a cheaper AR/VR headset offering expected to launch in late 2025, people familiar with Apple’s supply chain and manufacturing said.

Apple was previously reported to be working in parallel on a lighter, more comfortable “Vision Pro 2” and a slightly cut-down, more economical version of its mixed-reality headset. However, Vision Pro sales have tapered off significantly since launch, likely contributing to Apple’s decision to shift focus.

Apple’s low-cost Vision headset will likely forego some of the Vision Pro’s more premium features, such as the external display that enables the flagship model’s EyeSight feature, in favour of slashing costs. Rumours suggest Apple aims to outfit the more economical model with the same high-end micro-OLED internal displays as the Vision Pro but a simpler headband, smaller speakers, and fewer cameras and sensors.

Apple also hopes to bring down the base Vision headset’s weight to just one-third of the Vision Pro. As for price, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting point of around $1,500 USD for the cheaper offering.

With a successor now being farther down the line than previously expected, Apple will expand the Vision Pro’s availability to new markets in the meantime. As announced at WWDC 2024 last week, Apple will launch its Vision Pro headset in Canada on Friday, July 12.

Apple Vision Pro will start at $4,999 CAD and top out at a whopping $7,300 CAD in Canada, with options for 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.