Apple Faces Challenges in Generating Interest for More Affordable Vision Pro Model

The Apple Vision Pro, with its hefty price tag of $3,500, seems to be struggling to make a lasting impression. Despite boasting top-tier visuals and excellent hand tracking, the initial excitement around it has quickly fizzled out in just a few months. A significant part of this lukewarm reception can be attributed to its sky-high cost. So, what exactly needs to be done to make it a viable competitor to the Meta Quest 3? It appears Apple might have to strip away many of the Vision Pro’s standout features to make that happen.

At Apple’s sleek headquarters, the challenge is evident, as they’re reportedly working on a more affordable Vision headset set to debut next year. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, this upcoming model might fall in the range of $1,500 to $2,000. Gurman’s detailed insights include some strategies Apple might employ to slash costs, such as ditching the EyeSight exterior display that shows users’ eyes. Had Apple skipped this feature from the get-go, they might have had a winning deal early on.

This less expensive Vision headset prototype goes by the name N107. For the next iteration, Apple might opt for a less powerful chip than the M2 processor used in the Vision Pro, even though the current expensive model already pushes that CPU to its limits. Additionally, Apple could scale back on the exterior passthrough functions and constrain the field of view. However, doing so would mean sacrificing those elements that set the Vision Pro apart from the $500 Quest 3.

Things could get even trickier. Gurman, drawing on anonymous sources, mentions that Apple has pondered making the more affordable Vision model tethered to an iPhone or Mac. Devices like the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and XReal’s Beam Pro rely on extra power from an external device through a wired connection for their AR glasses. At least those glasses are considerably lighter than a headset. The Vision Pro’s external battery pack was already a contentious design choice, and adding more wires would further hinder the Vision’s overall functionality.

Looking ahead, a revised edition of the Vision Pro is expected to arrive in 2026, under the codename N109, according to Gurman. This model might only need minor tweaks in comfort and processing to enhance what is already a visually impressive high-end headset, although its steep price keeps it out of reach for many.

Apple isn’t quite ready to abandon its augmented reality aspirations. Gurman’s report notes that the company continues to hire for its VR team, even as analysts suggest Apple has tempered its Vision sales forecasts for 2025. The ultimate goal, and Tim Cook’s original vision, is to develop true AR glasses. However, Apple’s team believes such a breakthrough could still be years away.

In the meantime, the Meta Quest 3 remains the more economical choice, while Meta is shifting focus towards products like the Meta Ray-Bans, which have surpassed initial expectations in popularity.

Despite recent enhancements to visionOS revealed at WWDC, they haven’t reignited interest in Apple’s inaugural VR headset. Constraints like limited comfort and high costs make it a tough sell for most consumers, particularly when a laptop or smartphone suffices for work and leisure. Connecting the headset to these devices only highlights how supplementary it is compared to something easily portable like a laptop or phone.