Apple is working on a cheaper Vision Pro: Here’s when it may come

But Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has good news for those interested in the technology. According to him, Apple is already working on the cheaper version of Vision Pro, which could be unveiled in a couple of years.

“At $3,500, Apple Inc.’s Vision Pro isn’t priced to sell. No matter how powerful its technology and compelling its functionality, the product won’t be able to reach its potential or have a real future at seven times the price of its top rival,” writes Gurman in his latest PowerOn newsletter. .

He further states that Apple is already at work on a cheaper version of the headset that will help it sell more units. “The name Vision Pro even implies there’s a non-Pro version in the works, which one has to assume will be called the Apple Vision or Apple Vision One,” he says. 

What features will the cheaper Apple Vision Pro offer?

Explaining how the Cupertino-based company plans to bring down the cost, he says that Apple will probably use lower quality screens, either an iPhone-grade chip or an older Mac chip and fewer cameras for lesser performance. Gurman says that Apple may also ship the affordable AR/VR headset with a simpler headband design. The device may require AirPods for spatial audio instead of the strap with speakers in the Vision Pro. 

In addition, the company may opt for a physical versus automatic IPD — distance between eye pupils — adjustment and remove features like the 3D camera on the affordable version.

“Combined with a more refined production process, economies of scale and a cheaper frame, I’d imagine Apple could knock several hundred dollars off the price,” he says. 

However, there are few areas which Gurman believes Apple will not compromise on in a cheaper Apple Vision. These include the external screen known as EyeSight along with eye- and hand-tracking systems. 

When will the cheaper Apple Vision Pro come?

According to Gurman, Apple is currently planning a release of the cheaper model for as early as the end of 2025, meaning it won’t debut for about two years after the original Vision Pro. 

He also states that the iPhone maker is also developing a second-generation Vision Pro with a faster processor, “indicating it’s intent on a two-product strategy for the device in line with the standard iPhone and iPhone Pro models.” 

Updated: 12 Jun 2023, 11:03 AM IST