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

The Apple Vision Pro, priced at a hefty $3,500, has been struggling to find its place in the market. Upon its release, it boasted some of the finest visuals and hand-tracking capabilities in the virtual reality arena, yet the initial excitement has dwindled surprisingly quickly. A key reason for this is its jaw-dropping price tag. So, how can this be reduced to truly compete with the Meta Quest 3? It seems Apple might need to rethink the features that made the Vision Pro a standout.

Over at Apple’s headquarters, it’s reported that a more budget-friendly Vision headset is in the works, potentially launching next year. According to insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this new device might be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. Gurman has shared some strategies Apple might employ to bring down costs. One suggestion includes ditching the EyeSight exterior screen, which mirrors the user’s eyes. If Apple had nixed this feature from the start, it might have been a win-win situation regarding price and appeal.

This affordable Vision headset, currently known as N107, could feature a less powerful chip than the M2 in the Vision Pro, despite that chip already being stretched to its limits. Apple might also reduce the external passthrough capabilities and scale back the field of view. However, such changes might strip away the elements that made the Vision Pro stand out from competitors like the $500 Quest 3.

There are even more drastic options on the table. Gurman’s sources suggest Apple has considered requiring this cheaper Vision to connect to an iPhone or Mac. Devices like the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and XReal’s Beam Pro need extra power from another gadget, connected via wires, for their AR glasses. At least those glasses are much lighter compared to a full VR headset. The Vision Pro’s wired battery pack was already seen as a design flaw, so adding more cables could hamper the functionality of the next iteration.

Looking ahead, there’s talk of a new version of the Vision Pro planned for 2026, identified as N109. This future device may focus on enhancing comfort and processing power, aiming to refine what’s already a visually impressive high-end headset—despite its affordability barriers.

Apple seems determined to keep its virtual reality and augmented reality dreams alive. As per Gurman, hiring continues in Apple’s VR division, despite analysts suggesting a decrease in Vision sales expectations for 2025. The ultimate goal, as envisioned by CEO Tim Cook, is to develop true AR glasses. However, Apple’s team believes that reality might still be years away.

Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3, a more economical choice, continues to outperform. Meta appears to be shifting focus to other products, like the increasingly popular Meta Ray Bans.

Even with the recent updates showcased at WWDC for visionOS, the excitement around Apple’s first VR headset hasn’t really picked up. The numerous limitations, notably its steep price and comfort issues, make it a tough sell for many consumers. Especially when laptops and phones suffice for most work and entertainment needs, tethering the headset to these devices would only emphasize how supplementary the headset is compared to something you can carry effortlessly.