Apple to Upgrade Vision Pro in Two Ways Later This Year

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to introduce a new version of the Vision Pro this year, with the main update focused on the chip inside, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The device will use the M4 chip that Apple has already debuted in the iPad Pro and several Macs.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said late last year that a new Vision Pro coming in 2025 would have an M5 chip, and Gurman also said around the same timeframe that Apple would update the Vision Pro with the M5 chip. Just last month, Kuo maintained that the updated Vision Pro would use an M5 chip, but it now appears that information about the M5 could be incorrect.

The current version of the Vision Pro includes an M2 chip, so even if the upgraded model won't get the M5 chip, the M4 should still bring significant performance improvements. Apple is also testing a version of the device that has an upgraded Neural Engine with a higher number of cores, which would improve processing for AI tasks.

Along with the faster processor, Apple plans to update the Vision Pro with a strap that will make the headset more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. Straps that Apple is working on are meant to cut down on head pain and neck strain, but there's no information on what Apple has in mind. Apple already has two Vision Pro straps, including one that goes around the back of the head and a second add-on strap that better distributes weight at the top of the head.

After the second-generation Vision Pro that's coming out this year, the device will not see another update in 2026. Apple is instead planning to debut a redesigned model in 2027. The redesigned model, which Kuo has referred to as a "Vision Air," is expected to be significantly lighter.

Gurman says that Apple is working on another variation of the Vision Pro that could be tethered to an iPhone or Mac for enterprise applications and reduced lag. Apple had been designing Mac-connected glasses that would work as a computer display, but Apple paused work on that project back in January.

Apple is developing a set of smart glasses that are similar to Meta's Ray-Bans and that are supposed to come out in 2026. Those glasses won't feature augmented reality capabilities, but they will serve as a precursor to true AR glasses.

Article Link: Apple to Upgrade Vision Pro in Two Ways Later This Year

 

[macduke]

If it needs to be tethered to a battery pack anyway, may as well make a cheaper version without the M chip, just the R chip. Then remove the stupid eye view on the front and have it connect to the iPhone, iPad and Mac for compute and power. This will also make it lighter and more comfortable to wear. Then drop the price and I think this would sell a lot better while actually being a lot more useful to more people.

 

[qpid360]

I wonder what the trade-in value would be for the V1.

 

[spunkystrawberries]

Hmmmm. I’m hoping for an M5. Seems like a device that isn’t getting updates on the same cycle as other products would get whatever is latest and greatest at the time. I’m imagining this will be debuting around the same time as the M5 MacBook Pros, so including a chip that’s over a year old already (M4 was introduced in May 2024) seems kinda lackluster. What’s been holding up this update?

 

[KPOM]

Since no other shipping products use the M2 this looks like Apple wants to keep a small production line open while they figure out the next big thing in wearables.

 

[Rayansb]

Jeez. I just got mine like two months ago. I'm hoping the new strap is compatible with first gen.

 

[Rychiar]

Hmmmm. I’m hoping for an M5. Seems like a device that isn’t getting updates on the same cycle as other products would get whatever is latest and greatest at the time. I’m imagining this will be debuting around the same time as the M5 MacBook Pros, so including a chip that’s over a year old already (M4 was introduced in May 2024) seems kinda lackluster. What’s been holding up this update?

well that's what they did with the original. all common sense woulda had it launch with at least an m3... and a few months after launch the m4 came out(which they shoulda waited for)

 

[spunkystrawberries]

Admittedly, lower end products sometimes get last gen chips. But if this is “tomorrow’s tech today” then it should at least use today’s tech when it’s released instead of yesterday’s tech. (Again, assuming a fall release with new M5 products.)

 

[spunkystrawberries]

well that's what they did with the original. all common sense woulda had it launch with at least an m3... and a few months after launch the m4 came out(which they shoulda waited for)

Yeah this totally threw me!! I was at least expecting it to update to an M3 at launch!

 

[d-klumpp]

Bring us the glasses! Better yet, bring us a tiny AR projector that we can attach inside the arm of any glasses, especially Rx

 

[seek3r]

Yeah this totally threw me!! I was at least expecting it to update to an M3 at launch!

The regular M3 chips feel like they were a stopgap until the process node for the M4s was ready, to be skipped on some product lines as a result. That's honestly the biggest reason I'm still surprised by the M3 Ultra

 

[Joker1977]

M4 chip will apparently improve processing of AI tasks.

I didn’t even realise Apple processes any AI tasks.

 

[deaglecat]

pretty sure it will be a nice upgrade.
also pretty sure it won't turn the fortunes of this product in its current product line.

what is needed is much cheaper even if that means less premium materials. oh and maybe a compelling content deal (football, F1, that sort of thing).

Edit: a VR version of https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/09/apple-wants-to-buy-f1-streaming-rights/

but...what will they do with unsold stock ? refurb store ... ?

 

[BNBMS]

Vision Pro is a crap and failure. Even now, so many developers still didnt bring and create apps for Vision Pro due to limited functionality and usefulness. Besides, why do you even need a front screen for?

 

[klasma]

If it needs to be tethered to a battery pack anyway, may as well make a cheaper version without the M chip, just the R chip. Then remove the stupid eye view on the front and have it connect to the iPhone, iPad and Mac for compute and power. This will also make it lighter and more comfortable to wear. Then drop the price and I think this would sell a lot better while actually being a lot more useful to more people.

The Vision Pro battery is 36 Wh and lasts around two hours.
The 13” M4 iPad Pro is 39 Wh, the 11” 31 Wh, the iPhone 16 Pro Max 18 Wh. They wouldn’t last very long. Current MacBooks have 50-100 Wh, which would work better.

However, feeding the Vision Pro display would require around 65 Gbps at 90 Hz (not counting the EyeSight display) if my math is right, which only Thunderbolt 5 provides, meaning you’d need a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or Max.

 

[seek3r]

M4 chip will apparently improve processing of AI tasks.

I didn’t even realise Apple processes any AI tasks.

AI = What everyone is colloquially now calling machine learning, and apple’s been doing ML work for a long time*. The updated neural engine would speed up a lot of that relative to the M2

*something I’ve been harping on for a while here: Apple was never behind in “AI”, just the current hotness of LLM chatbots. In terms of things under the umbrella of marketing as “AI” they’ve been ahead of most of the industry in implementing ML in their gear for a long time, they just didnt call it AI

 

[piccolamela]

Tim's visions 🤑 just aren't visionary enough...

I wouldn't use the current one, even if I were given one for free.
dumb fake eyes and all.

 

[seek3r]

Tim's visions 🤑 just aren't visionary enough...

I wouldn't use the current one, even if I were given one for free.
dumb fake eyes and all.

I mean, why the vitriol? it’s pretty wicked gear, even if you dont have a practical purpose for it yourself…

 

[IceCool]

Seriously hope the new strap is compatible with the current Vision Pro. I’d like to not buy a whole new AVP just for a strap.

 

[techspin]

I wonder what the trade-in value would be for the V1.

Trade in value will be about tree fiddy. Almost better than a used EV lol.

If they could include the M5, an integrated battery, wider FOV and display improvements, I’d consider upgrading. I don’t even notice the weight at this point. My neck is extra girthy like an F1 driver.

 

[clive27]

I wonder what the trade-in value would be for the V1.

"We'll recycle your Vision Pro for free!"

 

[Sputman99]

Just remove the silly display from the front and some Apple branded googly eyes - that would make it a lot lighter

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wonder what the trade-in value would be for the V1.

"As part of our environmental pledge, it would be our honor at Apple to recycle it for you"

 

[nfl46]

Just remove the silly display from the front and some Apple branded googly eyes - that would make it a lot lighter

From the article:

After the second-generation Vision Pro that's coming out this year, the device will not see another update in 2026. Apple is instead planning to debut a redesigned model in 2027. The redesigned model, which Kuo has referred to as a "Vision Air," is expected to be significantly lighter.

Just wait until 2027...AVP V2 isn't for you.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Gurman says that Apple is working on another variation of the Vision Pro that could be tethered to an iPhone or Mac for enterprise applications and reduced lag. Apple had been designing Mac-connected glasses that would work as a computer display, but Apple paused work on that project back in January.
......

I would love to get a VP that would be tethered to my Mac to use as VR display. Why only for enterprise apps?