Vision Pro: Black components reappear Apfelpatient

New leaked images show components of an Apple Vision Pro in a dark finish – a variant that is not yet commercially available. This is the second time such parts have surfaced in just a few months, and they align with reports of a lighter successor model.

Apple's headset plans have been in limbo for months, but hints of new hardware continue to leak from the supply chain. Photos have recently surfaced on the X platform showing components in an all-black finish – including the power band and audio pods – that visually match the components available in the current Vision Pro. The images were published by the account @LusiRoy8, who claims the parts belong to an upcoming second-generation Vision Pro in black. This news comes at a time when Apple's internal headset development continues at a slow pace, while smart glasses and AI wearables have been given strategic priority.

What the leaked images show

The leaked images focus on two components that are clearly not standard. The power band, which connects the current Vision Pro to the external battery, appears in a completely dark finish. The audio pods at the temples are also black. Their shape appears identical to the existing hardware – only the finish clearly distinguishes them from the familiar light aluminum look.

Apple vision pro 2 upcoming black color pic.twitter.com/bCxtI7Yq5b
— pipfix (@LusiRoy8) May 26, 2026

The leaker himself directly attributes the components to a planned successor and refers to an "upcoming" Apple Vision Pro 2 in black. Whether the parts actually come from current production samples or older test series cannot be determined from the images alone. One thing is certain: it's not the first time such components have surfaced.

Repeat offenders from the supply chain

Similar components in a dark finish were leaked as early as December 2025. The report at the time referred to an internal project name, “Vision Air”—a thinner and lighter mixed-reality headset whose weight reduction was to be achieved, among other things, by switching key structural components and the battery housing to titanium. A “Midnight” color scheme was also part of this description.

The newly surfaced parts fit into this picture. They suggest that Apple has at least conducted, or is continuing, material and color tests for a dark headset. Whether this is a direct continuation of the Vision Air project or components for the second generation of the Vision Pro remains unclear – the two leakers offer conflicting information.

Vision Pro: What's the status of the headset plans?

It was initially assumed that Apple was preparing two products in parallel: a more affordable headset called "Vision Air" and a revised successor to the existing Vision Pro. However, in October, Bloomberg reported that Apple had temporarily paused development of all Vision headsets to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses. This shift in priorities aligns with recent reports that employees from the Vision Products Group have been reassigned to other teams, including those working on the smart glasses project and Siri development.

At the same time, the impression that Apple had completely abandoned the Vision Pro was recently corrected. Analysts and reporters indicated that Apple had not entirely discontinued the headset line – but a direct successor is not expected for at least two years. The components that have now leaked could fit this longer timeframe, as component and material testing typically takes place long before final production.

Smart glasses and AI wearables in focus

The strategic shift away from headsets and towards smaller wearables is now well documented. Apple's energy is currently focused on the planned Apple Glasses, which are intended to be a direct competitor to Meta's eyewear line. Simultaneously, work is underway on other AI wearables, including AirPods with integrated cameras, which are designed to perform similar functions to smart glasses.

In this context, the recently surfaced black Vision Pro components seem less like a clear signal for an imminent product launch and more like an indication that the headset hardware is still being developed internally – just not at the pace originally planned. As long as Apple itself doesn't announce any concrete dates, every leak in this category remains a piece of the puzzle that only makes sense when the complete picture is later revealed. (Image: Shutterstock / BATKA)