We’ve for some time been expecting a cheaper and lighter version of Vision Pro, possibly branded as Vision Air. Potential launch dates have been variously reported as 2025, 2026, and 2027.
But a report yesterday suggested we may have even longer to wait for this as Apple shifts resources to accelerate work on an Apple Glasses product …
The problem with Vision Pro
While Vision Pro is an undeniably impressive product, it has two very substantial drawbacks. The first and most obvious is the cost, upwards of $3,500. This makes it more expensive than a well-specced MacBook Pro, and given its relatively niche appeal, it’s simply too expensive for even most Apple fans to consider.
The second issue to quickly emerge in early reviews was the weight of the headset. Users reported that it can begin to become uncomfortable in as little as an hour’s usage, and that was certainly my own experience when I tried it.
Vision Air is expected to solve both problems
While the product line is never likely to be cheap, it did seem like a Vision Air product should bring the price down to a more palatable level. Typical estimates of the likely price are somewhere in the $1,500 to $2,000 range.
I said initially that I’d probably pull the trigger at $1,500, but after trying one, I upped that to $2,000.
To make the headset lighter and comfortable to wear for longer periods, Apple is expected to drop the EyeSight feature and to use less metal in the construction. While Apple initially touted EyeSight as a way to reduce isolation between Vision Pro users and those around them, it never really gained any fans, with most seeing it as a pointless gimmick.
Another reported compromise is somewhat lower resolution displays, but it does sound like these would still be more than good enough for most applications.
The reported delay
Yesterday’s report said that Apple is concerned about falling further and further behind Meta with a smart glasses product.
Apple has hit pause on a planned overhaul to its Vision Pro headset to redirect resources toward a more urgent effort: developing smart glasses that can rival products from Meta. The company had been preparing a cheaper, lighter variant of its headset — code-named N100 — for release in 2027. But Apple announced internally last week that it’s moving staff from that project to accelerate work on glasses, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
But the delay could easily kill the product
We’ve long argued that an Apple Glasses device is the company’s long-term goal with this type of technology, and that Vision Pro was merely a stepping stone along the way.
Given the pace of development we’re now seeing in smart glasses products, I wonder whether there will even be a role for a new headset by 2028. If smart glasses, clunky or not, are fulfilling most of the needs for this type of device, then a large headset could easily look anachronistic by then.
Vision Pro and Vision Air may be standalone devices, but I’m not sure how important that is. For my own part, I’ve been really impressed with an iPhone ‘face monitor’ for TV and movie viewing. For use as a multi-monitor solution for Macs, the only thing missing at present is that the monitors don’t stay firmly locked in place in the rock-solid way they do in Vision Pro. As soon as this is fixed, which I don’t expect to be very long now, then a headset becomes redundant for me.
I suspect the same may be true of most potential Vision Air buyers. They likely already have an iPhone and a MacBook, so there’s not a massive benefit in standalone working. If I’m right, then the product is likely dead before it even launches.
What’s your view?
Assuming a glasses product that acts as a Vision Pro-like multi-monitor for MacBooks, as well as a convenient way to view movies and TV shows from your iPhone, is there really any reason for Apple to launch a bulkier and pricier standalone headset?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Highlighted accessories