We might have some bad news if you’re on the edge of your seat, waiting for news about an upcoming “Apple Vision Pro 2”.
Despite all the hype surrounding Apple’s spatial computing device, the Vision Pro, Apple has had a rocky initial entry into the extended reality world. Sales numbers aren’t exactly skyrocketing, even as Apple continues to span into new countries and regions.
As a result, various rumors suggest Apple has suspended work on its next version of the Vision Pro, choosing to focus on a cheaper version of its flagship product.
Still, this doesn’t mean that Apple isn’t going to release an even more powerful headset. It just means there’s a good chance we’ll need to wait much longer before we see the device.
Even now, as Apple continues to face turbulent times in the XR space, rumors are still circulating about an impending Pro 2, set to emerge sometime in the next two years. I’ve scoured the web, read the reports, and checked social media, to bring you a complete guide to what we know so far.
Will There Be an Apple Vision Pro 2?
The rumors surrounding the Apple Vision Pro 2 paint a murky picture of the company’s XR future. Like most vendors, Apple hasn’t shared any official statements about its XR roadmap, but the company doesn’t seem to view the Vision Pro as a one-off experiment.
When the company introduced the Vision Pro initially, it promised to usher in a new era of “spatial computing.” It would be difficult to do that with just a single headset.
The trouble is, Apple hasn’t really achieved its goals with the first Vision Pro device. Although this headset definitely introduced us to a new level of “premium mixed reality,” various issues have impeded rapid market adoption.
First, Apple stuck to the US market for several months, making it difficult for a large number of consumers to access the device. Plus, it gave its headset an extremely high price tag, making it instantly less appealing to budget-conscious consumers than alternatives like the Meta Quest 3.
However, while sales have definitely slumped, Apple isn’t just writing the Vision Pro off; it’s just changing 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 isn’t the same as canceled.
Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg newsletter also suggests that Apple’s roadmap includes launching a new headset somewhere at the end of 2026. This tells me that Apple may still release an Apple Vision 2, but it’s priority is to increase sales with a cheaper headset first.
Apple Vision Pro 2 Release Date
If Gurman’s insights are correct, there’s a good chance we won’t see a new Apple Vision Pro for some time. Even if the Apple roadmap suggests the company will introduce its new headset at “the end of 2026”, it might be several months before it’s commercially available.
Apple might even decide to follow the strategy it used with the initial Vision Pro, and introduce the headset to the United States long before other companies. I don’t think that will help the company’s sales issues, but it could be necessary, depending on how many resources Apple can access from suppliers.
Predicting a concrete release date is pretty difficult. Usually, I’d look at when a company released previous models of its devices to get an idea. However, since we’ve only had one Apple XR device (released in February 2024), there’s not a lot of data to work from.
Apple may launch a Vision Pro 2 somewhere towards the end of 2026, in time for the holiday season – particularly if the new headset will have a large price tag. There’s a good chance, however, that we’ll see a cheaper, slightly pared-down version of the Vision Pro long before this.
If the rumors surrounding a more affordable Apple Vision Pro are correct, Apple might adjust its release timeline based on the success of that cheaper headset.
Apple Vision Pro 2 Price: How Much Will it Cost?
The high price tag of the initial Apple Vision Pro has already caused problems for the tech company. Even after expanding sales internationally, Apple has 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 likely want to make that device even more impressive than the current model. That means spending much more time and money on software development, advanced equipment, and cutting-edge chips.
However, I’m not sure whether Apple will risk making its next headset more expensive than the original Apple Vision Pro. The fact that the company has already reportedly suspended work on this device to focus its attention on a cheaper alternative suggests that it is aware of how problematic its pricing 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 headset. They may also explore new ways to reduce production costs, learning from the development of their more affordable model.
For instance, Apple might find ways to create its cheaper headsets with different materials that reduce the cost, or minimize certain, less crucial features. I think they could probably get rid of things like the “Eye Sight” mode, which most people seem to avoid using in the first place.
If Apple can reduce the price of its headset to something like $2,000-$2,500, it might achieve better sales results going forward.
Apple Vision Pro 2: Design Rumors
While plenty of rumors about impending XR devices, like the Meta Quest 3S, usually include prototype images leaked online, that’s not the case for Apple. A few leaks have offered insights into the design of the potentially more affordable headset. For instance, a report from MacRumors suggests that the cheaper Vision Pro will have fewer cameras, but the same displays.
Apparently, it might also have a new strap design, which could be beneficial for customers who find the weight of the current headset a bit difficult to manage.
There aren’t any 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 do think the company might consider getting rid of the front-facing display, as mentioned above, which could reduce the device’s weight even further.
If Apple is focusing on cutting costs for all its future headsets, it might consider changing the display on the Vision Pro 2 to a lower resolution. However, this could make it harder for the company to differentiate itself from other high-end XR device manufacturers, like Varjo.
Another factor may be whether Apple chooses to add controllers and accessories to its new headset. Although I like the fact that you don’t need controllers to interact with content in the Vision Pro, some users will prefer to leverage controllers for certain use cases and precision control. Going forward, Apple might decide to create a set of controllers similar to the Meta Quest 3 Pro controllers.
The Potential Features for Apple’s Future Headset
Perhaps more than design, an impressive array of features will be crucial to ensuring the success of an Apple Vision Pro 2 headset. I think Apple is already working on making it’s device more impressive with updates to the VisionOS system. Plus, the company is working hard to attract developers so it can expand its app store and compete with the likes of Meta.
A lack of dedicated apps for the Vision Pro was one of the top things that prevented sales from flooding in when the first headset was introduced. Hopefully, by the time Apple releases a new model, the company will offer a far greater range of applications.
Of course, this is all speculation so far. Once we see what Apple introduces with the cheaper version of its headset, 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 probably include:
- A faster processor: By the time Apple releases the Vision Pro 2 (if it ever does), the next-generation M4 processor should be available. This would give the new headset a significant edge over the initial device with its M2 processor.
- Lens and screen upgrades: Apple will likely use OLED screens in its new headset for brighter images (with less battery consumption). Rumors suggest that new lenses will also be available to improve the quality and clarity of the images users see.
- Enhanced AI: Given the ever-increasing focus on AI in the XR world, there’s a good chance we’ll see plenty of this technology in the new headset. We might see the introduction of a brand-new generative AI assistant specifically designed for the Vision Pro.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Apple?
Ultimately, Apple’s entry into the extended reality space has been turbulent. The sky-high price of its original device and the limited functionality it offered at first have made it difficult for Apple to really carve 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 reduce the price of its future headsets and gain insights into genuine user priorities.
However, it does mean that we’ll be waiting a lot longer for a successor to the Apple Vision Pro. Even if Apple releases a new, more affordable headset sometime in the next year, there’s a good chance they’ll wait a little while before introducing a Pro 2.
However, I don’t think Apple will cancel its plans to create future high-end products. The company does appear to want to become a genuine player in the XR industry.
Hopefully, a cheaper Apple Vision Pro will give the firm the insights it needs to become more competitive.
