Apple Vision Pro 2: What the rumor mill sees coming, and when it might arrive
The Apple Vision Pro is over a year old, but there are already rumors about an Apple Vision Pro 2 headset. Here's what's rumored to be coming, perhaps as soon as April 2026.
Apple Vision Pro
Following the release of the Apple Vision Pro in February 2024, the head-mounted device has struggled to really take off. At $3,500 for a first-generation device, it's also something that is perceived as high-priced.
It costs as much as a high-end Mac, but without necessarily providing as much utility.
Now, more than a year later, the attention turns to Apple's next plan for mixed-reality. And just like any other Apple product, rumors and speculation are making predictions for what Apple will release next in the headset category.
Here's what the rumor mill thinks is happening with Apple's vision for the Apple Vision Pro.
A cheaper Apple Vision
The Apple Vision Pro is Apple's only headset in its product catalog at the moment. If ongoing rumors are to be believed, there could be multiple devices in the works.
The most obvious one is a follow-up to the Apple Vision Pro, but there's also claims of a cheaper model on the way. One that would be a more consumer-grade device rather than the premium offering already on sale.
Multiple rumors have put forward the idea that a lower-cost version is happening, with some significant changes to be made to the model to lower its cost of production.
In September 2024, one report said that it will use much lower-resolution displays than previously thought. Originally, it was thought Apple would use 1,700dpi OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) screens, but it apparently looked at glass core substrate (GCS) OLED technology at 1,500dpi instead.
These are both significantly lower than the 3,380dpi of the original Apple Vision Pro.
An Apple Vision Pro at Apple Park
Other changes can include the removal of the external EyeSight screen and a downgrade in processor, from a Mac-grade chip for one used by an iPhone. That latter point may even be removing all of the processing off the headset and onto an external host, like an iPhone or Mac.
This consumer option could also be considerably cheaper. In October 2023, leakers proposed the cost of the headset could go down to between $1,500 and $2,500, pricing echoed by later reports in May 2024. An October 2024 report split the difference at $2,000.
It is doubtful that the consumer-based version will land anytime soon. In November 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote that production of the model had been delayed until beyond 2027.
Apple Vision Pro 2 could be much lighter
The original Apple Vision Pro release was a weighty one. As an all-in-one device, it had to house processing as well as the displays in the headset, though it did try to reduce the overall on-head weight by tethering the battery.
This was a lot to take on for users, as AppleInsider itself found out in its own trials. This was also reflected in reports from users that the headset was simply too heavy for some, and neck strain was a common complaint.
The construction materials and components makes the Apple Vision Pro a very heavy headset to wear for long periods.
In an October 2023 report, the heft of the Apple Vision Pro was a concern for even Apple's engineers, and it prompted a rethink for future releases. Apple's employees were making sure that designs for future headsets will be lighter and more manageable for longer periods of time.
The eventual release of Apple Glass, smartglasses, would fix this issue, but that prospect is still years away from reality.
Apple Vision Pro could use M5 chip
The current Apple Vision Pro uses an M2 chip along with another called the R1, which handles many of the headset-specific tasks while the M2 deals with applications. That will probably change for the next version, and maybe for the current one.
A pair of claims in November 2024 put forward the narrative that Apple will use an upgraded M5 chip in the second-generation headset.
The Apple Vision Pro uses the M2 and R1 chips - Image Credit: Apple
The earlier of the two, from Ming-Chi Kuo, claimed that there was a delay for the next full Apple Vision Pro generation until 2027. However, Kuo speculated that an update of the existing Apple Vision Pro could happen, giving it an M5 chip in 2025.
Serial leaker Mark Gurman of Bloomberg had the same sentiment a few days later, with it being added to a refreshed first-gen model, not a full-blown second-gen release.
Patents and accessories
One source of what Apple has thought about is patent filings, which often cover a wide array of topics. However, while Apple may have filed a patent on an idea, there's no guarantee that it will do so.
Even so, it does at least offer an idea of where Apple has considered taking its headsets.
This has included possibly adding a small display to the headband, which could be used to display status updates. Specifically for items that the user of the headset is aware of, but those outside won't be.
It may even display a "Do not disturb" notice.
An image from a game controller patent filing - Image Credit: Apple
Apple has also looked into potentially creating an Apple Vision Pro game controller, with a Wiimote-like baton that can be manipulated by a user's hands. Just like the Wii, there are straps to stop the controller from flying across the room.
The controller patent may not be too far-fetched, as in December 2024, Apple had reportedly been in talks with Sony to add support for the PlayStation VR2 controllers to the Apple Vision Pro. By including controllers, this may make the Apple Vision Pro more attractive to game developers as a platform, instead of one that's centered around gesture usage.
Another very handy addition to a future headset are liquid lenses. One filing offers a tunable lens that can be adjusted on the fly, using electric current to change the prescription of the lens itself.
This eliminates the need to add lens inserts to the headset, which would have to be changed for other users. In theory, this could considerably speed up the process of sharing the headset between multiple users with differnt sight needs.
Apple Vision Pro 2 expected in 2026 or 2027
While one outlier predicts that refresh could happen in the next year for the existing model, most of the rest of the rumor mill believes that a full new version is still far off into the future.
There hasn't been a specifically nailed-down timeline for when a new version will turn up, but the general belief is it will be around 2027. This has been cited for both the budget and full sequel releases in varying degrees.
That's not to say that an earlier release could happen, but it's improbable. One dodgy report from April 2025 insisted that a release of the Apple Vision Pro 2 could happen before April 2026.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
The Vision Pro is a 1st gen product in every sense of the word, and it was built from the outside in, not optimized for how people would use it. Just consolidating the ribbon cables and internal ports alone would make it cheaper to manufacture. A Vision Pro 2 could be cheaper to make, maybe $2500 to $3000, just from optimizing packaging and maturing components.
To improve wearability, I think they have to redesign it. The R1 needs to be integrated into the SoC or the SoC package. They should move to the A19 Pro to be fanless, and move all the logic components to the audio straps. Only the lens, displays, sensors and cameras need to be in the goggles part. Move as much of the mass to the audio straps as possible. This such release the pressure on people's sinuses while wearing it as the head strap would be taking on more of the load versus now, where it is basically all on your face.
I have been wondering if they could use a 1700 ppi display that is 2x to 3x larger than the current microOLED one. It would still be a 4K to 5K display, per eye, but 2x bigger. The display pixels per degree could be maintained while a 1700 ppi display could be a lot cheaper than the 3400 ppi microOLEDs. Lens would need to be redesigned.
I wear glasses and I take frequent breaks for short relief. My glasses are 30-35 grams.
If Apple wants to release "Apple Glass" they are going to need to come in around 50-75 grams tops. Not convinced today's technology is sufficient.