Apple Faces Challenges in Generating Interest for a More Affordable, Less Powerful Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro, which carries a hefty price tag of $3,500, hasn’t quite found its groove yet. Initially celebrated for its stunning visuals and top-notch hand-tracking in the virtual reality arena, the buzz surrounding it has quickly faded just months after its debut. A major factor contributing to this decline is undoubtedly the sky-high price. The question now is: how can Apple bring that cost down and turn it into a formidable rival to the Meta Quest 3? The answer might lie in stripping away some of the features that set the Vision Pro apart.

The challenge is palpable at Apple’s iconic headquarters, where teams are reportedly working on a more affordable version of the Vision headset, set to drop next year. Industry insider Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has suggested that this new model might be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. Gurman outlines several steps Apple could take to lower the cost for consumers. For instance, removing the EyeSight external display, which unnecessarily projects users’ eyes, could be a simple yet effective change. Had Apple made this cut initially, they could have struck a balance between functionality and affordability right from the start.

Currently, this budget-friendly headset is referred to as the N107. It’s rumored that Apple’s next iteration might ditch the M2 chip used in the Vision Pro for something less advanced—even if the Pro already pushes that CPU to its extremes. Cupertino may also scale back on the exterior passthrough features and shrink the field of view. However, by doing so, they’re also chipping away at what makes the Vision Pro stand out compared to the much cheaper $500 Quest 3.

The other options being considered could be even less appealing. According to Gurman’s sources, Apple might force the less expensive Vision to connect to an iPhone or Mac. Other products like the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and XReal’s Beam Pro also rely on the extra power from an external device and a wired setup to operate their AR glasses. At least those glasses are significantly lighter than a full headset. One of the most criticized design choices of the Vision Pro was its wired external battery pack, so adding more cables would only further hinder the future Vision’s usability.

Looking further down the road, a new iteration of the Vision Pro is expected in 2026, with the project reportedly named N109. This updated version will likely focus on enhancing comfort and processing power, building upon what is already considered one of the most visually impressive high-end headsets available, although its price remains out of reach for many.

Apple isn’t backing down from its augmented reality goals just yet. Gurman also notes that the tech giant is actively hiring within its VR department, despite predictions of reduced Vision sales by 2025 from analysts. The ultimate goal, aligned with CEO Tim Cook’s vision, is to develop genuine AR glasses, although Apple’s team believes that achievement is still a distant possibility.

Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 continues to offer better value, with Meta seemingly shifting more focus to products like the Meta Ray-Bans, which have enjoyed unexpected popularity.

Even with the recent updates and enhancements to visionOS showcased at WWDC, Apple’s debut VR headset has struggled to reignite interest. Challenges remain—from limited comfort to exorbitant costs—making it difficult for the average consumer to justify the purchase, especially when a laptop or smartphone suffices for work and entertainment needs. Connecting the headset to these external devices would only underline its secondary role compared to something portable enough to fit in your bag or pocket.