Apple Faces Challenges in Sparking Interest for a More Affordable, Simplified Vision Pro Model

The Apple Vision Pro, with its hefty $3,500 price tag, has been struggling to find its place in the market. While it’s equipped with some of the best visuals and hand-tracking features available in the VR world, the initial excitement around it seems to have fizzled out just a few months post-launch. The steep cost is undoubtedly a significant factor in this fading interest. So, what would it take to bring the price down and make it a serious competitor to the Meta Quest 3? It might mean stripping away some of the elements that make the Vision Pro stand out.

At Apple’s headquarters, there’s quite a buzz about developing a more affordable Vision headset, potentially set for a 2024 release. As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this upcoming version could be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. Gurman’s breakdown of potential cost-cutting measures includes getting rid of the EyeSight exterior display, which unnecessarily mirrors users’ eyes. If Apple had skipped this feature from the start and lowered the cost, it would have been a win-win situation.

This cost-effective version, codenamed N107, could see less powerful tech under the hood compared to the M2 chip in the Vision Pro—even though the current model already pushes the limits of that CPU. Apple might also scale back on exterior passthrough capabilities and reduce the field of view. But at that point, it risks losing what sets the Vision Pro apart from the much cheaper $500 Quest 3.

There are even more drastic ideas on the table. Anonymous sources close to Gurman suggest Apple might require this budget-friendly Vision to connect to an iPhone or Mac. Devices like the $1,800 Spacetop G1 and the recent Beam Pro from XReal also rely on external devices for power via a wired connection. However, those gadgets are at least lighter and sleeker than a full-on headset. One significant design flaw of the Vision Pro was its external battery pack coupled with extra wires, which could severely limit the functionality of any future iteration.

Looking ahead to 2026, a revamped version of the Vision Pro is in the works, under the codename N109 according to Gurman. This version might focus on enhancing comfort and processing power, aiming to refine what’s already one of the best high-end headsets visually, even if it remains out of reach for many due to its price.

Apple is far from giving up on its augmented reality dreams. Gurman notes that the company continues to recruit for its VR team, despite analysts pointing out lowered Vision sales projections for 2025. The ultimate goal is to develop true AR glasses, a project dear to CEO Tim Cook’s initial vision, though Apple’s crew believes this may take several more years to realize.

While the Meta Quest 3 currently offers a more attractive deal overall, Meta appears to be shifting focus towards products like Meta Ray Bans, which have surpassed initial popularity expectations.

Despite showcasing advancements in visionOS at the recent WWDC, Apple hasn’t managed to reignite excitement for its inaugural VR headset. The technology faces several hurdles—from discomfort issues to high prices—that make it tough to sell, especially when a laptop or smartphone often suffices for both work and play. Relying on tethering the headset to these devices only emphasizes its supplemental nature compared to more portable and versatile options.