Apple Faces Challenges in Generating Interest for a Budget-Friendly Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro, priced at a hefty $3,500, has yet to establish itself firmly in the market. While it boasts some of the finest visuals and hand tracking features available in the VR realm, the initial buzz has noticeably waned just a few months post-launch. The steep price tag surely plays a part in this diminished excitement. So, what could make it a fierce competitor against the Meta Quest 3? Interestingly, it might involve stripping away some of the elements that make the Vision Pro unique.

Inside Apple’s iconic headquarters, the team is reportedly hard at work on designing a more affordable version of the Vision headset, targeting a release for next year. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this budget-friendly device might be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. Gurman’s recent insights suggest a few potential strategies Apple could employ to bring costs down for users. One such approach could be axing the EyeSight exterior display that simulates users’ eyes—if Apple had ditched this feature from the start, a reduced price could have been a beneficial outcome.

The current iteration of this more economical Vision headset is internally known as N107. This upcoming headset may incorporate a less powerful chip than the M2 used in the Vision Pro, although the high-end device has already pushed that CPU to its limits. Apple could also dial back on the exterior passthrough features and restrict the field of view. But at this juncture, you risk losing what sets Vision Pro apart from the $500 Quest 3.

The alternatives are even less appealing. Based on insights from certain unnamed sources, Gurman reports that Apple has considered requiring the cheaper Vision version to connect to an iPhone or Mac. Comparatively, products like the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and the latest Beam Pro from XReal necessitate additional power from an external device and a wired link to their AR glasses. However, those glasses are significantly more lightweight than a full headset. One major design flaw in the Vision Pro is its wired, external battery pack; adding even more cables would significantly hinder the next Vision’s overall usability.

Looking ahead, a new Vision Pro model is expected in 2026, known within Apple as project N109. This device will likely aim to enhance the comfort and processing power of what is already considered one of the top-looking high-end headsets—though its price makes it unreachable for many.

Apple isn’t ready to set aside its ambitions in altered reality just yet. Gurman notes that the company continues to hire within its VR division, even though analysts have dialed down their Vision sales forecasts for 2025. The next major objective, as envisioned by CEO Tim Cook, is genuine AR glasses, although Apple’s team estimates that might still be several years away.

Meanwhile, even as the Meta Quest 3 offers better overall value, Meta is reportedly shifting more focus toward products like the Meta Ray Bans, following higher-than-anticipated popularity.

Despite showcasing advancements in visionOS at the recent WWDC, enthusiasm for Apple’s inaugural VR headset hasn’t reignited. With ongoing constraints like comfort issues and a steep price, it remains a tough proposition for many, particularly when a laptop or smartphone often suffices for work and fun. Linking the headset to these devices only underscores how supplemental the headset is compared to gadgets that fit neatly into your bag or pocket.