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

The Apple Vision Pro, priced at a staggering $3,500, is still searching for its niche in the market. While it boasts some of the most impressive visuals and hand-tracking capabilities in the VR realm, the initial excitement surrounding it has fizzled out within a few months of its launch. This decline in enthusiasm can largely be attributed to its hefty price tag. To truly rival the Meta Quest 3, Apple may need to radically strip down the Vision Pro’s features, potentially sacrificing what makes it stand out.

At Apple’s futuristic headquarters, there’s a tangible pressure to craft a more affordable Vision headset, rumored to be released next year. As per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this upcoming device might be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. Gurman has shared insights on how Apple plans to slashing costs, which might involve scrapping the eye-replicating EyeSight exterior display. Had Apple omitted this feature from the start, they could have achieved both a cost-effective and appealing product.

The current prototype of this budget-friendly Vision headset is reportedly called the N107. It’s speculated that this model might incorporate a less powerful chip than the M2 used in the Vision Pro, even though the current Vision Pro pushes the limits of that CPU. Additionally, Apple might reduce exterior passthrough functionalities and restrict the field of view. However, such changes would strip away the elements that differentiate the Vision Pro from the $500 Quest 3.

There are even bleaker options on the table. Gurman, citing anonymous sources, mentioned that Apple is considering tying the affordable Vision headset to an iPhone or Mac. Devices like the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and XReal’s Beam Pro harness extra power from a connected device and require a wired hookup for their AR glasses. At the very least, those glasses are far more lightweight compared to a full headset. The Vision Pro’s already criticized design of having an external wired battery pack would only become more cumbersome with additional cables, severely hindering its full capabilities.

Looking ahead, the next iteration of the Vision Pro is anticipated for release in 2026 under the codename N109. This upcoming model aims to enhance the comfort and processing prowess of what is arguably one of the finest high-end headsets available, even though its high price makes it inaccessible for many.

Despite the hurdles, Apple is far from abandoning its ambitions in augmented reality. Gurman notes that the company continues to expand its VR team, even as analysts predict a downturn in Vision sales for 2025. The ultimate goal, shaped by CEO Tim Cook’s vision, remains genuine AR glasses, though Apple insiders believe this milestone is still years away.

In the meantime, despite the Meta Quest 3 being a more economical choice, Meta’s focus is shifting towards other products like the Meta Ray Bans, which have unexpectedly gained traction.

Recent advancements in visionOS, showcased at WWDC, haven’t reignited interest in Apple’s inaugural VR headset. Its technological limitations, from uncomfortable wear to a prohibitive price, make it a tough sell. Many find their needs more than adequately met with just a laptop and phone. Tethering the headset to these devices might simply highlight its redundancy compared to portable, pocket-sized alternatives.