Despite initial excitement, Apple’s Vision Pro has seen decreased consumer interest, likely due to its high price tag of $3,500. While rumors of a more affordable headset existed, recent reports suggest Apple has delayed plans for a successor, the Vision Pro 2, until late 2026. However, the current Vision Pro remains valuable in fields like medicine.
The Apple Vision Pro, launched in February 2024, has been praised for its impressive hardware and innovative user interface. However, with a hefty price tag of $3,499, it remains out of reach for many consumers. Despite its strengths, the Vision Pro is not without its flaws, and Apple has been tipped to be working on next-generation and potentially cheaper versions of the headset.
According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s roadmap for the Vision Pro does not include a second-generation model until the end of 2026. This falls in line with what TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said about significant hardware upgrades for the Apple Vision Pro getting delayed until 2027.
While Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper version of the headset, the company is facing challenges in bringing down the cost. The high cost of components, such as Sony’s 4K micro-OLED panels, is one of the major hurdles.
Apple’s latest Vision Pro road map doesn’t currently call for a second-generation model until the end of 2026, though the company is trying to figure out a way to bring a cheaper version to market before then. Apple is still flummoxed by how exactly to bring down the cost, I’m told.
While Apple grapples with these challenges, competitors like Samsung are making strides in the mixed reality market. Samsung’s upcoming XR headset boasts impressive specs, including a Sony-made micro-OLED display with a resolution of 3,840 x 3,552 pixels and a Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 chipset. With a more flexible device ecosystem, Samsung’s XR headset could pose a significant challenge to the Vision Pro.
Despite these challenges, Apple remains focused on expanding the reach of the Vision Pro. The company plans to launch the headset in international markets, with China being the first on the list. Additionally, Apple is working on updating the operating system for the Vision Pro with the release of visionOS 2.0. However, the delay in the release of the Vision Pro 2 presents an opportunity for competitors to gain ground in the mixed reality market.
