Gurman: Apple Could Release $2,000 'Apple Vision' Headset Next Year

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on a more affordable version of its spatial computing headset in the form of a $2,000 "Apple Vision" device that could debut as early as next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The new headset would be a lower-end counterpart to the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro, which was released in February. Apple reportedly expects this more affordable model to sell at least twice as many units as the Vision Pro, though "that's not saying much," adds Gurman. Apple will struggle to hit 500,000 Vision Pro sales this year, according to market tracker IDC.

To achieve the lower price point, the Apple Vision would likely use a less powerful processor and cheaper materials than aluminum and glass. The device is also expected to omit certain inessential features, such as the EyeSight display that shows the user's eyes on the outside of the headset. Apple could also use larger, lower resolution displays for the more affordable version of the Vision Pro headset, according to previous reports.

Apple's Vision Products Group is reportedly prioritizing the development of this lower-cost option, recognizing that the Vision Pro's high price and ergonomic issues have limited its appeal. The team reportedly aims to create a device with broader market potential while still delivering a compelling spatial computing experience.

Gurman's report also mentions that Apple is working on a second-generation Vision Pro, slated for release in 2026. This update would primarily feature a faster processor, with few other hardware changes expected. Apple is also said to also be working on a smart glasses project alongside the Apple Vision and Apple Vision Pro headsets.

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Could Release $2,000 'Apple Vision' Headset Next Year

 

[grantishere]

Get it down to $1,000. Then I'll consider

 

[EightyEight]

This time, maybe more like squash goggles instead of ski goggles.

 

[jayducharme]

Get it down to $1,000. Then I'll consider

Exactly. I wouldn't call $2000 "more affordable". It would still be a high-priced luxury item. I expected Apple to eventually get the Vision Pro down to that price.

 

[asdfjkl;]

Price is not the only reason why the Vision Pro is not selling. There's just no compelling reason to have one. A $2,000 or even $1,000 version still won't sell. Find a killer app. Without that it'll never sell.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Apple's Vision Products Group is reportedly prioritizing the development of this lower-cost option, recognizing that the Vision Pro's high price and ergonomic issues have limited its appeal. The team reportedly aims to create a device with broader market potential while still delivering a compelling spatial computing experience.

There’s that “spatial computing” term Apple likes so much. Too bad we have yet to see a compelling enhanced productivity example of it. And no, I don’t see how media consumption counts for that.

 

[IsaacM]

Still too expensive. It needs to be 1500max at this point in time.

They can raise the price down the line when the technology is more mature and device does more things efficiently, like they did with the iphone

 

[Kay_Ess]

If it’s available for €2000 and works under Windows for gaming then I’m sure lots of people will be interested, me included. My old Vive Pro could definitely be replaced and Valve’s current headset is the same age so I don’t really want that one. But if €3500 and just for a few apps I won’t want one.

 

[uller6]

I love Apple computers, but I don’t want one strapped to my face - at all. Hard pass for me, no matter the cost. I can’t be the only one who feels this way.

 

[ForkHandles]

Genuinely confusing
I appreciate that the price excluded the vast majority of potential users. But did they just not learn that this solves very few problems for very few people. B it will be a niche product.

Tested by many used by few.

Even the mac rumors guys admitted to using it only when they need to write an article discussing new software.

 

[coffeemilktea]

affordable

$2,000

I'm glad it only costs as much as a MacBook Air and an iPhone 16, and not as much as a MacBook Air, an iPad Pro, an iPhone 16, an AirPods Max, an Apple Polishing Cloth, and the entire Justin Bieber discography on iTunes put together. That's affordability, baby!

 

[jdavid_rp]

It needs to open a Mac environment standalone. Run Xcode, code editors, Final Cut, etc… Right now theyre just worth if you are interested in its VR entertainment features

 

[2540497]

Give it up, Apple... you aren't making 'Vision Pro' or 'VR' happen to a mass market.

 

[RichardVigilante]

I believe a consumer Vision model should be priced around the $1,500 iPhone cap and marketed primarily as a media display device for viewing commercial 3D/immersive videos, live events, and the personal 3D spatial videos and photos that all new iPhones can take.

 

[Jakesky123]

Still way too expensive.. I have a 500$ Meta Quest 3 and hardly use it, tried a Vision Pro before and just simply isn't a use case for it for me and certainly not for 2000$.

 

[CheffyDude]

Just wondering which planet Tim Cook lives on where $2000 is affordable.

 

[Jakesky123]

Just wondering which planet Tim Cook lives on where $2000 is affordable.

Maybe he bases it on the California prices lol

 

[SFjohn]

I’ll wait for the 2nd version of the Apple Vision Pro in 2026, not this gimped pared down plastic horror. The price is not the issue for me nor the weight. An M5 & possibly a wider field of view will be a day 1 purchase for me. 🤞🏻

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Just wondering which planet Tim Cook lives on where $2000 is affordable.

The planet where a search for "Tim Cook's Annual Compensation" reveals answers ranging from $63M to $98M. When one is making that much money each year, $2K or $3.5K or even $10K is like pocket change vs. the average Joe making the national average of about $59K.

Nevertheless, average Joe finds ways to scratch up $1K+ every couple of years for new phones that are only a little faster than the one they already own... new Macs that are only a little faster than the one they already own... new iPads... new watches... etc. They do this in spite of "buy them all" being a relatively large slice of their average annual compensation. Vpro pricing is like a couple of such purchases rolled into one transaction.

If anything, it may be a product that finally woke some people up to the idea that their money has value and the typical mentality of "just pay anything" may actually have some limits.

 

[Duncan-UK]

I have to laugh at the idea of a slower processor being contributory to a lower price. The M2 was already out of date by the time of the launch. What are they going to do, put an M1 in it?

 

[PowerMac5500]

🤐

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

They can raise the price down the line when the technology is more mature and device does more things efficiently, like they did with the iphone

The original iPhone was $599 for 8 GB, and you had to buy some of AT&T‘s most expensive plans to use it.
In total, complete ownership of the phone over two years, not counting the basic plan, was almost $1100 in todays money.
The iPhone 16 is $800, no contract, no data plan, and nothing else required.
The 15 is $700, the 14 $600.
The price to enter The iPhone ecosystem has absolutely gone down since 2007.

 

[arkitect]

Just wondering which planet Tim Cook lives on where $2000 is affordable.

I guess when you've just cashed in USD50,000,000 everything is affordable. 🥴

Link

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

This does look insanely priced on the surface, but keeping in mind that most folding phones *start* at $1800 without tax…
Yeah, this is a folding phone that can unfold to 120+ inches, not from six to eight.

 

[terminator-jq]

$1999 will definitely have more appeal but we are still far from where we need to be for more mass adoption. Luckily price was only 1 of the big issues with Vision Pro. The other big issue is weight and comfort. Dropping the front display will help with that. Hopefully Apple has also learned from user data how to create a better head strap so it can be worn for longer periods without causing headaches or other problems. 3rd party solutions and other hacks shouldn’t be necessary at these price levels (even $1999).

With lower weight and a better price, now we are left with the last big issue for Vision Pro which is the use case. This is the big one! A use case that’s powerful enough can help people overcome the high price. They need something that truly gives the Vision Pro user a clear advantage. Media consumption absolutely CANNOT be the main use case for this thing… not at these prices. Immersive video is cool, watching content on a big screen on the beach is awesome, working on a big screen monitor for Mac is also helpful but none of those are good compelling reasons to spend the money on this headset and strap it to your face…

We need to see major updates to VisionOS that takes it beyond just being a virtual iPad. We need to see applications from the big software companies that really take advantage of the VP unique input systems. A device like the VP should be a dream come true for creative types. Doing work like 3D sculpting and modeling should be far more natural and intuitive on VP to the point that creators actually prefer to work on it and are able to get better results faster. Architectural design is another major use case. With the right set up, the VP would be the perfect device to lay out design concepts and experience them at correct scale. Simulation is another big use case. All of these require Apple to either use their pro software design team (which they should be doing anyway) or partner with big developers.

Either way, mass adoption will require a better price, better comfort and multiple big use cases that offer a clear advantage (especially with work and creativity) over any other device. Solving 1 or 2 of these issues won’t help, all 3 must be solved to get major adoption.