Apple Reevaluates Vision Pro Approach with Affordable, Lightweight Headset in Development

Apple is resetting its Vision Pro goals. Following the lackluster commercial debut of its $3,500 mixed reality headset in February 2024, the tech leader is changing its strategy — aiming to create a lighter, more affordable version that may attract a wider audience.

As per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is now concentrating entirely on crafting a budget-friendly substitute for the Vision Pro. This shift is logical: with a price nearly seven times that of the Meta Quest 3 and a substantial 1.5-pound weight, the original Vision Pro was never meant for widespread market adoption. Many users also reported discomfort during prolonged use due to the headset’s heft.

Originally, Apple intended a minor upgrade to the Vision Pro, replacing the M2 chip with the forthcoming M5. However, CEO Tim Cook seems to have altered the company’s trajectory. Apple has allegedly scrapped previous plans for standalone AR glasses and is now developing two new Vision Pro versions: a more affordable consumer option and a tethered model intended to connect with a Mac. The latter would enable ultra-low-latency display streaming, targeting professional and enterprise applications such as surgical operations and flight simulation.

One significant hurdle persists: U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, implemented during the Trump era, continue to complicate initiatives to lower manufacturing expenses. These tariffs could obstruct Apple’s efforts to decrease the pricing of its next-generation headset — a critical factor in making it more attractive to average consumers.

As Apple reconsiders its mixed reality landscape, the company is distinctly betting that a more feasible and cost-effective Vision Pro could ultimately integrate spatial computing into the mainstream.