Apple Vision Pro sequel stalls as work on cheaper consumer headset continues
Apple's follow-up to the Apple Vision Pro may not be a high-end model, with work allegedly halted on the premium replacement in favor of a cheaper alternative.
Apple Vision Pro
Half a year after the release of the Apple Vision Pro, Apple is considering what its follow-up release could be. The next one may not be a full successor to the Apple Vision Pro, but it could end up being a more consumer-focused version.
According to a report from The Information, Apple has told at least one supplier that work on the next high-end version of the Vision Pro has stalled. This is allegedly in response to slowing sales of the premium headset.
As usual for Apple, it is anticipated that it has been working on multiple headsets. The report source says that work is still ongoing on the cheaper consumer-grade version of the Vision headset.
With fewer features and lower specifications, the source believes that it could ship before the end of 2025.
N109
The lower-priced Vision headset has an internal codename of N109, with a potential price hovering around $1,600 if it is eventually released.
To cut costs, Apple will be seeking to replace components with cheaper versions. For example, the internal displays could use a lower resolution, and fewer cameras could be used on the outside as sensors.
The chip may change to slower processors. The automatic initial focus setup may also disappear in favor of a manual version, as Apple tries to reduce the weight by up to a third.
Tuesday's report source said that Apple still wasn't equipped with a firm prototype for N109. While it could ship by 2025, it's thought that the product could ship later, possibly into 2026.
Part of this is due to supply chain issues, the report continued. In one case, display maker Seeya Technology apparently struggled to meet Apple's standards for production, prompting changes in a key component for the headset.
Rumor Score: Possible
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Who was the first to equip all it's (major compute) hardware with AI support in Hardware!? Apple.
Who has been continouusly implemented features once they are ready for prime time, privacy and are actually useful? Apple.
Who has for years an in house team for AI? Apple (yes okay and others).
Who is surprised!? Those braindead MBAs that just don't get that ML is an AI technique.
But hey as a stock holder I'm good.
I would really like a set AR glasses.
Apple understands that they aren’t selling this device as well as anything else that is a consumer based product. I doubt they thought it would sell better than it has. It’s only been like 4 months since it came out and now there are more countries that can demo and purchase it.
A couple likely factors for that:
- The M2 is perhaps too limited as far as GPU performance for high res, high frame rates required for these displays
- Lack of controllers — big negative here compared to every other VR platform. Hand recognition is cool but a lot of gaming is going to require dedicated controllers. I'm not sure if Apple is going to do that, which would be a miss unfortunately.
The other use case I was hoping to see but have not is being able to tether (wired or not) to the Mac and use it as a VR headset for it, utilizing the Mac's processor, both for games but also for 3D/VR content development. Remember when macOS had VR support back in like at the 2017 WWDC (I think) with the iMac Pro and the Vive? I think Final Cut Pro still has VR headset stuff in the menus. As a content developer, I was really hoping to see the ability to work in VR in Unity/Unreal Engine and 180 degree 3D in FCP, etc. Nope.Or how about visiting and walking around a city in Maps VR. That's definitely gotta be coming at some point.
I know they are shooting for AR glasses in the long run, but VR is a different beast altogether. The AVP is really in the middle of the road here, but has a lot of potential.