Report: Cheaper Apple Vision Pro Display Work Winds Down at Samsung

[MacRumors]

Apple has suspended development of the display for a cheaper, lighter version of the Vision Pro that it originally planned to launch in the next few years, according to The Elec.

The Korean outlet says Apple supplier Samsung Display is set to internally wind down the panel project – known in the industry as "G-VR" – with development set to be formally terminated by September.

G-VR is a glass-substrate micro-OLED, a lower-cost alternative to the silicon-based OLEDoS used in the current Vision Pro. It was being developed at around 1,600 to 1,700 pixels per inch, which is roughly half the 3,386 PPI of Apple's Vision Pro. The report says mass production had once been planned for sometime after 2028.

Apple has since turned much of its attention away from headsets in favour of smart glasses development, which has apparently drained momentum from the G-VR glass-substrate. However, Samsung continues to develop OLEDoS panels for the company's own mixed-reality devices, according to the report.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in October 2025 that Apple had paused work on a lighter, cheaper "Vision Air" to fast-track glasses that would rival Meta's Ray-Bans. In May 2026, Gurman reported that the cheaper device had been canceled outright.

Apple hasn't walked away from the headset market entirely, though. If a new Vision Pro-style device does materialize, Gurman said in May that he wouldn't expect it for "around two more years at least," given that the bulk of Apple's mixed-reality hardware talent has been pulled onto other projects like smart glasses, which are expected to launch in 2027.

Apple refreshed the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an updated model featuring an M5 chip. Last month, Apple upped the starting price of its Vision Pro from $3,499 to $3,699 as part of the company's sweeping product price hikes.

Article Link: Report: Cheaper Apple Vision Pro Display Work Winds Down at Samsung

 

[Rychiar]

I don't understand why a rich company can't work on glasses and VR at the same time... or what one even has to do with the other considering how different they are... I mean the audio only glasses they plan to release a year or 2 from now are basically the same as the AirPods with cameras, nothing visual. though a Vision Product with half the resolution does sound lame

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I don't understand why a rich company can't work on glasses and VR at the same time... or what one even has to do with the other considering how different they are... I mean the audio only glasses they plan to release a year or 2 from now are basically the same as the AirPods with cameras, nothing visual. though a Vision Product with half the resolution does sound lame

Agree. Couldn’t imagine upgrading to something with half the resolution of current.

 

[CWallace]

They certainly can work on both, but if they feel "smart glasses" is where the technology is trending for wide(r) adoption, it is a better use of time and money developing them, instead.

To me, Vision Pro was designed to develop and validate technologies that would be used for more mainstream future products like "AR glasses". It also allowed Apple to develop an AR-focused OS for those products.

 

[vertsix]

If the success of Whoop is any indication, people are feeling less inclined to be distracted or strapped into their digital life.

This is why Vision Pro is doomed to fail, and is already pretty much dead.

And it sucks, because it has amazing technology inside.

 

[contacos]

I mean Tim is stepping down soon, why should the new guy (forgot his name) continue to invest time and resources in a product line he may not even believe in.

 

[StuBeck]

This whole escapade was so silly. They didn't offer anything new and new about 5 years ago the market was dead for this. The deep dive into why this didn't work, partially that Apple couldn't even train their own staff in how to get a clear image with the product, shows how poorly thought out this all was.

 

[svish]

Think the current model will be sold for many more years to come. Want Apple to release AR glasses as soon as possible.

 

[k1121j]

The number of buyers goes down sharply as the price goes up.

Even for the phone this is going to hold true. It’s going to be interesting next few years.

 

[thelion7]

Apple has suspended development of the display for a cheaper, lighter version of the Vision Pro that it originally planned to launch in the next few years, according to The Elec.

The Korean outlet says Apple supplier Samsung Display is set to internally wind down the panel project – known in the industry as "G-VR" – with development set to be formally terminated by September.

G-VR is a glass-substrate micro-OLED, a lower-cost alternative to the silicon-based OLEDoS used in the current Vision Pro. It was being developed at around 1,600 to 1,700 pixels per inch, which is roughly half the 3,386 PPI of Apple's Vision Pro. The report says mass production had once been planned for sometime after 2028.

Apple has since turned much of its attention away from headsets in favour of smart glasses development, which has apparently drained momentum from the G-VR glass-substrate. However, Samsung continues to develop OLEDoS panels for the company's own mixed-reality devices, according to the report.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in October 2025 that Apple had paused work on a lighter, cheaper "Vision Air" to fast-track glasses that would rival Meta's Ray-Bans. In May 2026, Gurman reported that the cheaper device had been canceled outright.

Apple hasn't walked away from the headset market entirely, though. If a new Vision Pro-style device does materialize, Gurman said in May that he wouldn't expect it for "around two more years at least," given that the bulk of Apple's mixed-reality hardware talent has been pulled onto other projects like smart glasses, which are expected to launch in 2027.

Apple refreshed the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an updated model featuring an M5 chip. Last month, Apple upped the starting price of its Vision Pro from $3,499 to $3,699 as part of the company's sweeping product price hikes.

Article Link: Report: Cheaper Apple Vision Pro Display Work Winds Down at Samsung

Makes sense,

Although I have my concerns about the Privacy Implications of Smart Glasses going forward. I do feel Apple stepping away from the Vision Pro for the time being was the best move.

Unless they can get that price down to sub $1500 which would still be a tough sell to many. The product has no chance of succeeding as a Consumer grade product due to the lack of sales, users and insentive for developers to develop apps for.

Sticking a M5 chip in was simply done because they were running out of M2 chips and it does of course help the device continue to support software updates and features going forward.

But the Vision Pro at it's current proposation and price point is never going to work out.

 

[maflynn]

I don't understand why a rich company can't work on glasses and VR at the same time.

Probably because they discerned there is not a market for VR

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don't understand why a rich company can't work on glasses and VR at the same time.

Similarly, I don’t understand why they can’t make a smaller iPhone every three or four years for those of us that vastly prefer that form factor.

Weird stuff. Depressing.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

Had the Vision Pro started at $999 almost no one would criticise it but it’s insanely expensive and that’s why it failed and smart glasses will be a terrible idea because people will film everything with it and post it online. At least with iPhones you have to take it out of the pocket.

 

[Doodah7]

Just put it out of its misery...

 

[Lucas Curious]

Had the Vision Pro started at $999 almost no one would criticise it but it’s insanely expensive and that’s why it failed and smart glasses will be a terrible idea because people will film everything with it and post it online. At least with iPhones you have to take it out of the pocket.

no because Meta glasses do this already. I have them. People are stating to catch on that the glasses are recording and are hesitant. If everyone is recording there will be social hesitation to interact.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

I’ll always say Apple should’ve bought the Rights to broadcast the NFL and kept it away from goog and done exclusive Vision Pro content with it…maybe have a lesser starting price for the device just to get ppl in and then had NFL day ticket or whatever it’s called at its own price point, also have some sort of soccer broadcast deal for those whacky Europeans who think soccer is the best, f only if only if only..

 

[topmounter]

Price might be an excuse, but it's simply not among the issues plaguing the Vision Pro (and VR/AR in general). There are plenty of people more than willing to and do spill out comparable $$$ for a new MacBook Pro and a new iPhone to go with it every few years that never went anywhere near the Vision Pro. Myself included.

 

[bluecoast]

Tbh I think the Vision Pro is great. Just not at that price (and weight). So that’s a shame that the product seems to be at a dead end atm.

AVR glasses. Unless there’s a really compelling reason that Apple can think of for us to buy them, I’m not so sure.

Taking photos? Creepy.

visual intelligence? Umm just take out your phone? A nice to have / could have requirement if there ever was one.

Turn based map directions? Nice to have not essential and see above.

However, if the whole point of the Apple AVR glasses would be to work with the screens of Apple devices and add a new information layer somehow.

Yeah that could work.

But again, it doesn’t feel like a ‘must have’.

The Apple Watch and Oura - the wellness features on these can optimise your life and warm you of hypertension and afib issues etc.

That sounds like a load of must haves to me.

The glasses? Not so much.

 

[IIGS User]

I hope they took something away from the R&D that went into this FL&OP.

Too expensive. Period. Apple failed to "read the room" on this thing, yet hit the center of the bullseye with the Neo. That should tell you something about the nature of today's consumer.

This is why I have reservations about the Ultra Fold or whatever it will be called. A lot of early adopters and super Apple fans will step up to the plate at first, but I don't think it's a concept that has legs.

Much the same as the Air or the Mini I believe it will end up being a niche product with little or no uptake in the mass market. In the end, it will be a waste of R&D resources that could have gone into making products better for the larger market.

 

[maflynn]

Price might be an excuse, but it's simply not among the issues plaguing the Vision Pro.

Exactly,
Take away the price as the limiting factor and you're left with a device that doesn't do anything unique, or fits a need.

As its been said before the AVP is a solution in search of a problem.

 

[Astuces iOS]

What do you mean by cheaper? $200?

 

[Yourbigpalal83]

I just love how everyone loves to rank on the Apple Vision Pro, yet never had any intention what so ever on buying the damn thing. If i had the money today, id own one, and yes, thats even with the recent price increases. Know why? Cause hands down its the best mixed AR/VR headset out on the market. It offers experences no other device can remotely match. Is it overpriced? YOUR DAMN RIGHT IT IS... and thats its downfall sadly, espically with the ram cost increases...but had it been sold at a loss just to establish a market, and was under 2000 dollars...Apple wouldent be able to keep them in stock!

Its a damn shame too they are steping back from it as well. I think the tech in it is wonderful and i just hope they are able to impliment it in other glasses or headsets down the road.

 

[kaplag]

Agree. Couldn’t imagine upgrading to something with half the resolution of current.

Yea, I don't think this idea was ever viable. The bar was set and no one wants a lower quality product.

 

[kaplag]

Exactly,
Take away the price as the limiting factor and you're left with a device that doesn't do anything unique, or fits a need.

As its been said before the AVP is a solution in search of a problem.

It's a great smart TV if you are single and don't want a big TV in your living room or bedroom. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[kaplag]

Price might be an excuse, but it's simply not among the issues plaguing the Vision Pro (and VR/AR in general). There are plenty of people more than willing to and do spill out comparable $$$ for a new MacBook Pro and a new iPhone to go with it every few years that never went anywhere near the Vision Pro. Myself included.

Right... Price isn't so much an issue when the product brings value to your life. A laptop that you work on to make money or a smart phone that is your camera, and primary communication device offer so much more value than a headset thing does for the vast majority of people.