If you’ve been on the edge of your seat waiting for news about an upcoming “Apple Vision Pro 2,” we might have some bad news.
Despite all the hype surrounding Apple’s spatial computing device, the Vision Pro, Apple had a rocky initial entry into the world of augmented reality. Sales numbers aren’t exactly growing, even as Apple continues to expand into new countries and regions.
As a result, various rumors suggest that Apple has suspended work on its next version of the Vision Pro, choosing to focus on a cheaper version of its flagship product.
However, this does not mean that Apple it is not will release an even more powerful headset. It just means there’s a good chance we’ll have to wait a lot longer before we see the device.
Even now, as Apple continues to face troubled times in the XR space, there are still rumors of an imminent Pro 2 coming sometime in the next couple of years. We’ve scoured the web, read reports and checked social media to bring you a comprehensive guide to what we know so far.
Will there be an Apple Vision Pro 2?
Apple Vision Pro 2 rumors paint a murky picture of the company’s upcoming XR. Like most vendors, Apple hasn’t shared any official statements about its XR roadmap, but the company doesn’t seem to see Vision Pro as a one-off experiment.
When the company originally introduced Vision Pro, it promised to usher in a new era of “spatial computing.” It would be difficult to do this with just one headset.
The problem is that Apple hasn’t really achieved its goals with first Vision Pro device. While this headset certainly introduced us to a new level of “premium mixed reality,” various issues hindered rapid market adoption.
First, Apple remained in the US market for several months, making it difficult for a large number of consumers to access the device. It also gave its headset an extremely high price, making it instantly less appealing to budget-conscious consumers than alternatives like the Meta Quest 3.
However, while sales are certainly down, Apple isn’t just canceling the Vision Pro; it just changes its production tactics. Reports suggest that Apple has told at least one supplier that it has “suspended” work on its next high-end headset, but suspended is not the same as cancelled.
Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg newsletter also suggests that Apple’s roadmap includes releasing a new headset sometime in late 2026. This tells me that Apple may still release an Apple Vision 2, but the priority is to increase sales with a cheaper headset first.
Apple Vision Pro 2 Release Date
If Gurman’s information is correct, there’s a good chance we won’t see a new Apple Vision Pro for quite some time. Even though Apple’s roadmap suggests the company will introduce its new headset in “late 2026,” it could be several months before it’s commercially available.
Apple might even decide to follow the strategy it used with the original Vision Pro and bring the headset to the United States well before other companies. I don’t think that will help the company’s sales problems, but it might be necessary depending on how many resources Apple can access from suppliers.
It is quite difficult to predict a concrete release date. I would usually look at when a company released previous models of their devices to get an idea. However, since we only have one Apple XR device (released in February 2024), there isn’t much data to work from.
Apple could launch a Vision Pro 2 sometime towards the end of 2026, in time for the holiday season – especially if the new headset carries a hefty price tag. However, there’s a good chance we’ll see a cheaper, slightly scaled-down version of the Vision Pro long before then.
If rumors of a more affordable Apple Vision Pro are correct, Apple could adjust its release schedule based on the success of that cheaper headset.
Apple Vision Pro 2 Price: How Much Will It Cost?
The high price of the original Apple Vision Pro has already caused problems for the technology company. Even after expanding sales internationally, Apple struggled to convert a large audience. Even in the enterprise landscape, most people can’t justify spending more than $3,500 on a headset.
If Apple does produce a Vision Pro 2, they’ll probably want to make that device even more impressive than the current model. That means spending a lot more time and money developing software, advanced hardware, and next-generation chips.
However, I’m not sure if Apple will risk making its next headset more expensive than the original Apple Vision Pro. The fact that the company has already suspended work on this device to focus on a cheaper alternative suggests that it is aware of how problematic its price is.
I think it’s more likely that in the years between now and the release of an Apple Vision Pro 2, the company will significantly reduce the price of its current headphones. They can also explore new ways to reduce production costs by learning from their more affordable model development.
For example, Apple could find ways to make its headphones cheaper with different materials that reduce costs or minimize certain less crucial features. I think they could probably get away with things like Eye of Vision mode, which most people seem to avoid using in the first place.
If Apple can lower the price of its headphones to something like $2,000-$2,500, it could achieve better sales results in the future.
Apple Vision Pro 2: Design Rumors
While many rumors about upcoming XR devices such as the Meta Quest 3S usually include prototype images leaked online, this is not the case for Apple. A few leaks have offered insight into the design of potentially more affordable headphones. For example, a report from MacRumors suggests that the cheaper Vision Pro will have fewer cameras but the same displays.
Apparently, it could also feature a new strap design, which could be beneficial for customers who find the weight of the current headset a bit difficult to manage.
There are no details on what a new “premium” headset from Apple might look like. However, based on Apple’s overall aesthetic, I think it’s likely to be very similar to the current Apple Vision Pro. I think the company might consider getting rid of the front display as mentioned above, which could further reduce the weight of the device.
If Apple focuses on reducing costs for all its future headset, might consider changing the Vision Pro 2 display to a lower resolution. However, this could make it difficult for the company to differentiate itself from other high-end XR device makers like Varjo.
Another factor may be whether Apple chooses to add controllers and accessories to its new headset. While I like the fact that you don’t need controllers to interact with content in Vision Pro, some users will prefer to use controllers for certain use cases and precision control. Next, Apple could decide to create a set of controllers similar to the Meta Quest 3 Pro controllers.
Potential features for future Apple headphones
Perhaps more than design, an impressive range of features will be crucial to ensure the success of an Apple Vision Pro 2 headset. I think Apple is already working to make its device more impressive with updates to the VisionOS system. Additionally, the company is working hard to attract developers so it can expand its app store and compete with the likes of Meta.
The lack of dedicated apps for the Vision Pro was one of the biggest things that kept sales from flooding in when the first headset was introduced. Hopefully, by the time Apple releases a new model, the company will offer a much larger range of apps.
Of course, this is all speculation so far. Once we see what Apple introduces with the cheaper version of its headphones, it might be easier to make predictions about an Apple Vision Pro 2. Based on rumors from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however, the successor headset will likely include :
- A faster processor: By the time Apple releases the Vision Pro 2 (if it ever does), the next-gen M4 processor should be available. This would give the new headset a significant advantage over the original device with its M2 processor.
- Lens and Screen Updates: Apple will likely use OLED screens in its new headset for brighter images (with lower battery consumption). Rumors suggest that new lenses will also be available to improve the quality and clarity of the images that users see.
- Improved AI: Given the increasing focus on AI in the XR world, there’s a good chance we’ll see a lot of this technology in the new headset. We may see the introduction of a brand new generative AI assistant designed specifically for the Vision Pro.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Apple?
Ultimately, Apple’s entry into the augmented reality space has been murky. The skyrocketing price of its original device and the limited functionality it initially offered made it difficult for Apple to really carve out a space for itself in the industry.
I think Apple’s decision to focus on a more affordable headset before introducing an Apple Vision Pro 2 is a good idea. This will allow the company to find ways to lower the price of future headsets and gain insight into the genuine priorities of users.
However, it does mean we’ll be waiting a lot longer for a successor to the Apple Vision Pro. Even if Apple releases a new, more affordable set of headphones sometime next year, there’s a good chance they’ll wait a bit before introducing a Pro 2.
However, I don’t think Apple will cancel its plans to create future high-end products. The company seems to want to become a genuine player in the XR industry.
Hopefully, a cheaper Apple Vision Pro will give the company the information it needs to become more competitive.
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