The $3,500 Apple Vision Pro is struggling to find its place in the market. While it boasts impressive visuals and top-notch hand tracking within the VR scene, the initial excitement surrounding its release has fizzled out in just a few months. A significant factor behind this lukewarm reception is undoubtedly its sky-high price. So, how can Apple make it more competitive against the Meta Quest 3? It seems they might need to strip away some of the features that make the Vision Pro unique.
At Apple’s headquarters, efforts are underway to devise a more affordable Vision headset, expected to debut next year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman hints that this new device could be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. In his recent insights, Gurman outlined potential cost-saving measures Apple might implement. These changes could involve ditching the EyeSight exterior display, which duplicates the user’s eyes. Had this feature been omitted from the start, it could have been a win-win, balancing cost and functionality.
This budget-friendly version of the Vision headset is dubbed N107 for now. Unlike the Vision Pro with its M2 chip, the upcoming model might sport a less powerful processor, even though the Vision Pro barely scratches the surface of the M2’s capabilities. Additionally, Apple could dial down the exterior passthrough capabilities and shrink the field of view. However, such cutbacks would compromise the distinctive features that set the Vision Pro apart from the $500 Quest 3.
The more extreme possibilities sound less appealing. According to Gurman’s well-placed sources, Apple has even toyed with the idea of tethering the more affordable Vision to an iPhone or Mac. Similar to the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and the recent XReal Beam Pro, which rely on a boost from an external device via a wired connection, this would power their AR glasses. Yet, even those glasses are far lighter than a headset. One of the notable drawbacks of the Vision Pro was its wired, external battery pack, so adding more cables would further hinder the upcoming Vision’s usability.
Looking further ahead, a new Vision Pro model is anticipated for 2026, referred to internally as N109. This iteration is expected to focus on enhancing comfort and processing power while maintaining its status as one of the best high-end headsets, even if it remains out of financial reach for most.
Apple isn’t backing down on its augmented reality endeavors just yet. Despite reduced sales forecasts for 2025, as Gurman mentions, the company’s VR division is still actively recruiting. The ultimate goal, and a long-standing ambition for CEO Tim Cook, is to produce true AR glasses, although even Apple’s dedicated team acknowledges that such a breakthrough may still be a long way off.
In the grand scheme of things, the Meta Quest 3 still presents a more appealing deal. However, Meta is reportedly shifting more focus towards products like the Meta Ray Bans, which have outperformed initial expectations in popularity.
Despite recent enhancements to visionOS showcased at WWDC, there hasn’t been a surge of excitement for Apple’s inaugural VR headset. The persistent limitations—ranging from comfort issues to its steep price point—make it a tough sell for most people, especially when a laptop or a smartphone suffices for work and entertainment needs. Connecting the headset to these devices might just highlight how non-essential it is compared to something you can easily carry in a backpack or pocket.
