Apple’s Vision Pro headset hath been the talk of the tech realm since its grand unveiling, yet lo, Apple hath plans to bestow upon us two new models that may elevate the headset to lofty heights — and deliver it into the hands of many more souls. Verily, this includeth a second-generation Apple Vision Pro, as well as a more modest headset with a price that doth bow lower.
What precisely shall we expect from these marvels? What manner of features shall they offer, and when might they grace us with their presence? Should thou seek the answers to all such queries and more, fear not, for thou art in the proper place, as our rumor roundup shall shepherd thee through all that thou needest to comprehend. Let us embark on this journey.
Vision Pro 2: price and release date
Since the first-generation Apple Vision Pro hath only debuted in February of 2024, it shalt be a spell ere the follow-up doth come to light. Alas, there be conflicting views as to the precise moment of its arrival.
According to the venerable industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Vision Pro 2 shall likely be unveiled in 2025. Aforetime, the scribe Mark Gurman did claim that Apple did aim for this date. Yet, Gurman hath amended his prophecy in a February 2024 chronicle, declaring that the second-generation Vision Pro was at minimum 18 moons away from release. Judging by Apple’s penchant for waiting until the fruit is ripe, the latter date may prove the more accurate.
Kuo doth also proclaim that the second-generation headset shall come in twain forms: a high-end successor to the original Vision Pro and a simpler iteration with a humbler price (which we shall delve into anon in this chronicle). If this be true, perchance both models shall be revealed concurrently.
As for the price, we do anticipate the Apple Vision Pro 2 to command a sum akin to the $3,499 Vision Pro. Whilst some components may become more affordable, Apple shall strive to enhance the device’s performance and array of features, so anticipate not great movement in this regard.
Vision Pro 2: what shall it be called?
To many followers of Apple, the moniker Vision Pro was a revelation, for the rumor mill hath whispered for months of a name more aligned with “Reality Pro.” The current inclination is that Apple’s coming headsets shall follow this Vision nomenclature and shun the Reality moniker.
For the sake of simplicity, we dub the next-gen model Apple Vision Pro 2, yet Apple may opt to christen it Vision Pro (2nd Generation) or even retain the Vision Pro name sans model number in true Apple fashion, save for the iPhone.
The lower-priced headset was once rumored to bear the name Reality One, thus we may behold Apple christen it the Vision One instead or simply Apple Vision. The presence of a Vision Pro implies a non-Pro variant, lending credence to the notion of a pared-back Apple Vision denomination.
Vision Pro 2: features
Whispers of the Vision Pro 2’s features be scarce, yet some murmurs have surfaced. ‘Tis anticipated that it shalt sport a swifter processor — perchance Apple’s M3 or M4 chip, if the scribe Mark Gurman be correct. For the current model doth lack the power to render graphics at the level Apple doth desire, Gurman doth declare.
Meanwhile, Kuo doth opine that “The cost of the second-generation pancake lenses [inside the headset] shall likely increase to ameliorate the visual experience and form factor design.” Thus, anticipate greater visual splendor and mayhap a novel design. The learned scholars at Omdia do back Kuo’s assertion, asserting that the next Vision Pro shall arrive with more advanced micro-OLED panels, bringing forth enhanced brightness and efficiency.
Furthermore, Kuo doth speculate that this headset may receive a broad-ranging redesign for its second generation, complete with a lighter frame bedecked in a fresh industrial design, a quicker processor, and a novel battery system.
Finally, ’tis clear that the initial Vision Pro headset doth bear a hefty burden and may induce discomfort if worn for an extended period (as confirmed in our hands-on review). It doth seem that Apple may seek a remedy, for a fresh patent hath surfaced wherein the company hath intentions to incorporate a “balancing mass” into the device. This doth shift the headset’s weight in opposition to the direction in which thy head doth move, with the aim of alleviating the neck strain thou may feel. We shall have to await to witness if this innovation doth manifest in the Vision Pro 2.
What about the cheaper headset?
Reports do indicate that the Vision Pro’s price doth align with or approximate the cost of production. Should Apple endeavor to birth a more affordable headset, many sacrifices shall need to be made to maintain a lower price. Should their endeavor prove fruitful, Gurman doth believe Apple might lop “several hundred dollars” off the price of the Vision Pro.
Whilom, the humbler headset was rumored to fetch a price of $1,500, yet that was when the Vision Pro’s price was believed to be $3,000. Given the loftier $3,499 price, the economized device may perchance be priced at $2,000 or mayhap $2,500. According to The Information (via 9to5Mac), Apple aims to peg it at a level akin to that of an iPhone. Forsooth, the current iPhone 15 series doth command a price betwixt $799 and $1,599.
Gurman doth muse that this more affordable headset may be unveiled “as early as the end of 2025,” though 2026 doth linger as a possibility. Kuo, likewise, gazes upon 2025 as a feasible launch date. As foretold earlier, we do anticipate the Apple Vision and Vision Pro 2 headsets to be revealed in tandem.
Whilst the humbler Apple Vision headset shall retain the mixed-reality essence of the Vision Pro, it shalt skimp on many features to abate the price. Gurman doth posit that these cuts may include:
– Lower quality displays
– Adoption of an iPhone or elderly Mac chip
– Fewer cameras
– A simpler headband sans built-in speakers (wherein AirPods may serve)
– Manual pupil adjustments in lieu of automated ones
– Exclusion of the 3D camera
– Employment of a cheaper frame
Gurman doth assert that as time doth progress, the production process shall become more efficient, and economies of scale shall aid in this endeavor.
The Information doth concur that Apple may diminish the display quality and processor performance, and mayhap utilize more frugal materials. The outlet also doth speculate that Apple may dispense with the H2 chip, which presently ameliorates latency when paired with AirPods.
All in all, Gurman doth maintain that Apple shall not compromise in certain areas, such as the outward-facing screen (dubbed EyeSight by Apple) and the eye- and hand-tracking capabilities.
Yet, if the humbler device doth come to fruition is left to fate. A report from the sage Ming-Chi Kuo published in September of 2024 suggested that Apple might hath relinquished the notion of the more affordable headset. According to Kuo, Apple may hath ceased the development of the humbler headset, and sans this device, the analyst doth opine that Apple may face challenges if it doth not reduce the price of the primary headset. Alas, Kuo doth not impart a reason for the cessation of the lower-cost model, casting a shadow upon its future.
What else is Apple working on?
There hath long been whispers that Apple is crafting a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses, which may encompass many features of the Vision Pro yet packaged in a diminutive form.
Yet, Mark Gurman did report in January of 2024 that Apple had postponed the development of its AR glasses indefinitely. Gurman did proffer an update in May of 2024, declaring that the glasses were at minimum four years away from unveiling, thus ye should not anticipate their advent anytime soon. Kuo doth posit that they may not be revealed until 2026 or 2027 at the earliest.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is likewise dabbling in AR contact lenses that may see the light in the 2030s. Yet, this doth lie far in the future, and like many experimental ventures, Apple may decide to forego it in due course.
