Apple Vision Pro with M5 may arrive before the end of 2025

AppleInsider

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has two new Apple Vision Pro headsets in development, with the M5 version expected to arrive perhaps by the end of 2025.

Multiple models and new designs of the Apple Vision Pro are said to be coming

Of all the rumors concerning future versions of the Apple Vision Pro, one of the most recent was that a lighter version would be released in early 2026. Ming-Chi Kuo now disagree with that, and chiefly claims there will be no new headsets at all in 2026 -- and then a small raft of them starting in 2027.

In his blog post on the topic, Kuo states that five -- including both Apple Vision Pro and other smart glasses designs -- have confirmed launch dates, while two are yet to be determined. The full headsets include an M5 version of the Apple Vision Pro that he says will start mass production in the third quarter of 2025, but the others will come out between 2027 and 2028.

Specifically, Kuo claims that Apple's roadmap for 2025 to 2028 for the Apple Vision Pro is:

1. M5 Apple Vision Pro in 3Q25


2. Second generation Apple Vision Pro in 2H28

Apple's Apple Vision Pro roadmap according to Ming-Chi Kuo -- image credit: Kuo

Kuo has also detailed versions of what he calls Ray-Ban-like smart glasses. These are also expected to be released by the end of 2028.

Including those and the Apple Vision Pro direct successors, Kuo says five have what he claims are confirmed release dates, or at least release windows.

The Apple Vision Air version is said to have an all-new form factor, be powered by an iPhone A-series processor, and have an unspecified but significantly lower price than the current headset.

Projected sales

Kuo also reports projected shipments for certain of the devices, although he does not clarify whether these are his estimates or Apple's.

For the first launch, the M5 edition of the Apple Vision Pro, Kuo reports expected shipments of between 150,000 and 200,000 across the whole of 2027.

He describes it as still being a niche product, and says that one of its functions is just to maintain Apple's presence in the market. It may also, though, promote growth in the eco-system, and in some unspecified way "reduce component inventory."

Note that Kuo's track record in recent years has been much poorer than before. However, he only rarely reports with such specific claims, and he has been right before.



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discountopinion

I dont think he is right about an M5 version of the existing Vision Pro form factor this year. Borderline clickbait.
Why only update the SoC of a low volume form factor where the SoC is not the main gripe from users? If there is an updated Vision Pro this year than it will have an updated more light weight and easier to wear form factor.

Apple has a list of pain points that they can address than will make the device even better. 

nubus

discountopinion said:

Why only update the SoC of a low volume form factor where the SoC is not the main gripe from users? 

You're absolutely right but M2 in a flagship product is beyond embarrassing. If Apple isn't capable of doing anything else before a full reset in 2027/28 then launching M5 is the thing to do. Preferably cut $1k and accept the reduced margin while building next generation.

mattinoz

Now if the M5 embeds the function of the R1 because the new OS26 variants all take advantage of that hardware then there could be a drop in hardware complexity and the amount of R&D it needs to cover. 

Might not drop the price $3k plus tariffs but would be reasonable jump and means they could offer maybe Mpro version back at $3,500 to start testing what the market will bear. 

Sad the rumour isn’t for M5pro in there and a price drop. 

discountopinion

nubus said:

discountopinion said:

Why only update the SoC of a low volume form factor where the SoC is not the main gripe from users? 

You're absolutely right but M2 in a flagship product is beyond embarrassing. If Apple isn't capable of doing anything else before a full reset in 2027/28 then launching M5 is the thing to do. Preferably cut $1k and accept the reduced margin while building next generation.

Fair comments. I feel the same about the AirPod Max and the Mac Pro of old. Low volume flagship products lagging behind consumer grade products in the silicon. It is a clear pattern. No-one would buy a Koeningsegg with old tech would they?

macgui

discountopinion said:

I dont think he is right about an M5 version of the existing Vision Pro form factor this year. Borderline clickbait.
Why only update the SoC of a low volume form factor where the SoC is not the main gripe from users? If there is an updated Vision Pro this year than it will have an updated more light weight and easier to wear form factor.

Apple has a list of pain points that they can address than will make the device even better. 

I think the obvious reason is for a serious improvement in computational power without a huge investment in redesign of many other elements.

It's not really about making the MVP Mk I better, but making a better Mk II. Despite what many detractors have claimed, that are a lot of AVP users even if it didn't sell in the numbers detractors said Apple wanted.

The current AVP is a flagship, I think mainly because of it's impressive screens. Other rumors have rumored that Apple will make a cheaper device with lesser performing displays. These rumored displays could be "good enough" for a lot of people when accompanied by a cheaper price. Nothing wrong with that. But if you can appreciated the current, potentially higher performing displays, then "good enough"  would be disappointing. 

An M5 alone wouldn't be enough for a lot of AVP owners to upgrade, but certainly some would. I believe that wouldn't be the only upgrade, however slight others might be.  Maybe a little lighter weight. Improved battery life. Different head straps. This might be aimed at those who almost pulled the trigger on the current AVP but didn't. Save the big stuff for later, newer models.

Not everybody's reason for buying the AVP is the same. Visual performance is the main and maybe the only metric at the top of my list. 

sloaah

There are a few important reasons why they would upgrade to M5. 

The current M2 is definitely being pushed to its limits when mixing multitasking with environments for example, leaving little headroom for eg. Apple Intelligence or AIV editing. 

The AVP will also need to have a stronger chip than the AV Air which will likely come out before a new design iteration of the AVP. 

But above all, the AVP lives and dies by being the best XR headset around. With Google/Samsung’s new headset and Meta’s rumoured headset, Apple needs to have a chip that’s better than any competitor. 

nubus

discountopinion said:

nubus said:

discountopinion said:

Why only update the SoC of a low volume form factor where the SoC is not the main gripe from users? 

You're absolutely right but M2 in a flagship product is beyond embarrassing. If Apple isn't capable of doing anything else before a full reset in 2027/28 then launching M5 is the thing to do. Preferably cut $1k and accept the reduced margin while building next generation.

Fair comments. I feel the same about the AirPod Max and the Mac Pro of old. Low volume flagship products lagging behind consumer grade products in the silicon. It is a clear pattern. No-one would buy a Koeningsegg with old tech would they?

Indeed! The big HomePod got downgraded to fewer speakers. Watch Ultra is 2 years old. iPad Pro 11" had years of the display from Air. Studio is doing M3 Ultra but M4 Max. Guess we just accepted all of it. But AVP... you can't spend a decade, launch a product, and then walk away. M5 is the minimum viable effort. It has to happen unless Apple plan on doing a full reset.

tht

sloaah said:

There are a few important reasons why they would upgrade to M5. 

The current M2 is definitely being pushed to its limits when mixing multitasking with environments for example, leaving little headroom for eg. Apple Intelligence or AIV editing. 

The AVP will also need to have a stronger chip than the AV Air which will likely come out before a new design iteration of the AVP. 

But above all, the AVP lives and dies by being the best XR headset around. With Google/Samsung’s new headset and Meta’s rumoured headset, Apple needs to have a chip that’s better than any competitor. 

Yup. I was hoping they’d update the VP to an M4 last quarter. If they update it in Fall with an M5, that’s better late than never. Would have preferred M4 in March and an M5 in next Spring.

The Vision Pro needs incremental improvements in all components. Like, the main cameras needs to go to 12 MP with better low light performance and the refresh rate on the cameras and displays need to go to 140 Hz. To do that, it needs an R2 and an M4 or M5. 

Updating a product incrementally, every 12 to 18 months, tells potential buyers that Apple is committed to the product. That makes it easier for them to buy the existing product. 

For the VP, Apple knows that it can’t have a mass market product yet, something they can sell for $1000, have margins with it, and be able to perform in the way they want. The current M2 VP is on the hairy edge viability. They can’t sell it for under $3000. The technology and costs haven’t caught up yet. 

When Apple ships a $1500 Vision Air product, it is going to be faster than the current VP, even if it uses an iPhone SoC, and it will have better cameras. The PPD of the display though, that is going to take a hit. Just a waiting game on 3500 PPI displays become cheaper.