Apple Vision Pro: Headset's future hangs in the balance

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The Apple Vision Pro was the big breakthrough with which Apple intended to usher in the era of spatial computing. In 2023, the company unveiled the headset as a revolutionary device that would change the way digital content is experienced. But two years later, the project is at a crossroads. According to multiple reports, Apple has halted development of all Vision Pro models. Instead of new headsets, the company is now focusing on smart glasses. This puts the future of the Vision Pro in jeopardy.

The Apple Vision Pro was intended to be more than a technical experiment. It was meant to demonstrate what the future of computing might look like—beyond displays and keyboards. But while Apple invested heavily in development, demand remained manageable. The roadmap, originally planned to span several years, was quietly scrapped. Now Apple is refocusing, and this has far-reaching consequences for the entire product line.

The original goal: Vision Pro as the beginning of a new product family

When the Apple Vision Pro was introduced in 2023, it was clear that it wouldn't be a mass-market product. The entry-level price was $3,499 (€3,999), the design was complex, and the operating system was new. The headset was aimed at early adopters—users willing to pay for innovation.

Apple's plan was ambitious from the start. Following the launch, a lighter, more affordable model was to follow – internally called the "Vision Air." This device was intended to make spatial computing accessible to a wider audience. The plan was to reduce the weight by around 40 percent and cut the price by about half. This would have opened the headset up to mainstream buyers.

At the same time, Apple was working on a Vision Pro 2, a redesigned premium version with a better design, longer battery life, and more modern displays. Both models—Vision Air and Vision Pro 2—were intended to form a two-tier product structure, similar to the iPhone and iPhone Pro. The original schedule called for the lower-priced model to appear first, followed by the Pro 2 toward the end of the decade.

How the plans changed

Priorities shifted during 2024. Reports from The Information revealed that Apple was putting development of the Vision Pro 2 on hold to focus resources on the Vision Air. The goal: to accelerate the market launch of the cheaper model.

But implementation proved difficult. There were problems reducing production costs without compromising quality too much. At the same time, demand for the original Vision Pro remained weaker than expected. The high price point, the weight of the headset, and the limited application possibilities made it unattractive even for enthusiasts.

The original plan was to launch the Vision Air at the end of 2024. However, by mid-year, no finished prototype was available. Internal difficulties pushed the timeline back to at least the end of 2025.

In October of that year, new information emerged from the supply chain. Apple reportedly significantly scaled back production of the first Vision Pro due to weak sales and large inventories of unused components. Observers assume that production of the first model ceased at the end of 2024.

Complete development stop: Focus on smart glasses

At the beginning of October 2025, Bloomberg finally reported that the Vision Air had also been canceled. Apple has apparently halted all headset development. Instead, the company wants to accelerate the development of smart glasses—lighter, cheaper, and more suitable for everyday use.

This decision doesn't mean that Apple is completely abandoning spatial computing. Rather, it's shifting its approach. Instead of complex headsets with external batteries and high processing power, the focus will be on sleek AR glasses. These are intended to compete more directly with Meta and focus more on everyday life.

This makes it clear: Neither a Vision Air nor a Vision Pro 2 are currently in active development. The original vision of a headset family with tiered models has been shelved for the time being.

The M5 Vision Pro: One last update

Despite the pause, insiders say Apple is working on a slightly revised version of the existing headset – the so-called M5 Vision Pro. It will continue to use the original design but will be equipped with the latest hardware.

The new model could feature the upcoming M5 chip, complemented by a second coprocessor called "R2." There's also talk of a new "Dual Knit" headband that improves comfort . With this update, Apple apparently wants to extend the lifespan of the current generation and reuse existing component stocks.

FCC documents indicate that the M5 Vision Pro could launch in the coming weeks. However, it won't offer a completely new experience. Rather, it's a pragmatic upgrade—useful for those who appreciate the headset, but not a revolution.

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What happens next

The M5 Vision Pro is likely to continue the product line for a while, but without new models, it will be phased out in the long run. The hardware will likely be obsolete by 2027 at the latest, unless successors appear.

At the same time, according to several sources, Apple is working on its first pair of smart glasses, which could be unveiled as early as 2026. These glasses could mark the beginning of a new era—lighter, more discreet, and more closely integrated with artificial intelligence.

Nevertheless, visionOS 26 and the planned M5 update demonstrate that Apple hasn't completely abandoned the mixed reality space. However, the change of course suggests a shift in strategy: away from expensive headsets and toward everyday, connected glasses.

From headset to glasses: Apple's quiet change of strategy

The Apple Vision Pro remains an impressive piece of technology, but not a resounding success. Apple wanted to shape the future of computing with it – but the market apparently wasn't ready. The development pause doesn't mark a retreat from the technology, but rather a reorientation. The next step will be crucial. If Apple is successful with its smart glasses, the original goal of the Vision Pro – spatial computing for everyday life – could still become a reality. Just in a different form. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Hadrian)