Report Reveals Apple's Secretive Vision Products Roadmap

[MacRumors]

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared a detailed roadmap of the company's Vision and smart glasses plans until the end of the decade.

Apple apparently has at least seven projects in development, including three "Vision" devices and four smart glasses products. Kuo says that five of these products have "confirmed" development timelines, while two remain to be confirmed. Here's what to expect:

2025

• Apple Vision Pro (M5): A refreshed first-generation Vision Pro. Featuring the M5 chip with no other changes, the new device will not be considered to be a "second generation" model. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025 and Apple is expecting to ship 150,000–200,000 units this year. It will likely remain a niche product. The second generation model is simply designed to maintain market presence and support ecosystem development, as well as reduce inventory of excess components in the supply chain.

2026

• No new Vision or smart glasses products to be released.

2027

• Apple Smart Glasses: Similar to Meta Ray-Bans, Apple's first smart glasses product will offer multiple frame and temple material options for a more personalized look. It will feature voice control and gesture recognition, but there will be no display. Key features include audio playback, photography and videography, and AI-powered environmental awareness. Some users will use the smart glasses to replace their AirPods or iPhone camera in certain situations. Mass production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027, with Apple expecting shipments of three to five million units in the launch year. It will likely be the first Vision or glasses product to achieve significant sales volume.
• Apple Vision Air: Featuring all-new design that is "substantially lighter," with over 40% weight reduction compared to the Vision Pro. This weight reduction will be achieved by replacing glass with plastic, using magnesium alloy, and reducing the number of sensors on the device. It will contain Apple's latest flagship iPhone processor of the time, rather than an M-series chip. It will come at a "significantly lower price point" than the Vision Pro. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.

2028

• Apple Vision Pro (second generation): Apple's true second generation Vision Pro headset will debut an entirely new design with a significantly reduced weight. It will feature a powerful, Mac-grade processor and a lower price point. Mass production is projected to begin in the second half of 2028.
• Apple XR Glasses: While the product will feature voice control and gesture recognition like the company's first smart glasses, this more advanced version will add a color Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) display with waveguide optics. AI will apparently be critical to the device's success. Mass production is scheduled for the second half of 2028. Several other brands are expected to release similar products before Apple to establish early market presence, but due to the nature of this category of devices as early technology, these products will probably remain niche offerings over their first few years of existence.

2029 and Later

• Apple XR Glasses (second generation or variant): A different version of Apple's XR glasses introduced in 2028, with a later production timeline. Little is known about this device at present.
• Display Accessory (development paused): An all-new kind of device that uses a tethered connection to display content from Apple devices like iPhones and Macs. It features display technology from Birdbath optics with electrochromic dimming. The device was originally scheduled to enter mass production in the second quarter of 2026, but its development was paused in the fourth quarter of 2024 because Apple questioned its competitive advantage over other existing products. Apple's version had a weight of 120–130 grams, versus a sub-100 gram weight of competitors. Apple is currently reviewing the product for "repositioning and specification refinement," and a project restart is possible.

Kuo believes that Apple has considerable competitive advantages in its plan to offer a range of Vision and smart glasses products, due to its robust hardware development capabilities and unique ecosystem integration. The main challenge facing the company remains AI-powered features and software. See Kuo's full report for more information.

Article Link: Report Reveals Apple's Secretive Vision Products Roadmap

 

[Kylo83]

What’s the point of the m5 then in the so called Vision Pro 1. Why not at least do another change or make it cheaper

 

[tazinlwfl]

I’m actually more excited about an M5 Apple Vision Pro than a true Gen2 right now. I held off specifically because of the M2.

 

[XboxEvolved]

I remember making a post about an Apple Vision SE, which Air makes more sense, and said that it will have to be $1500-2000 or less, and could only sell super well if subsidized by carriers similarly to Apple Watch sales (highly doubt there’s millions with $800 to burn on a watch if it isn’t subsidized somehow) and it looks like my obvious prediction is coming true. If it’s at least on par with the AVP I’ll for sure be getting one.

 

[surferfb]

All of this seems reasonable enough, although seemingly a year later than I’d expect, but I don’t believe for a second Kuo got access to Apple’s product roadmap.

 

[josselinco]

The key take away for me is that a first iteration on XR Glasses (with a display) is coming 2 years ahead of what previous rumors said (2030+).

 

[Andres Cantu]

I’m probably not the only one who feels that none of those devices are for me. Another device to buy, carry/wear, charge, worry about. Same reasons why I sold my Apple Watch. Not enough use for me, personally. iPhone does all I need.

 

[Havalo]

If the current situation with iOS features and their delayed release schedule persists, that bloody roadmap may/will extend into 2050 if we are lucky.

 

[iZac]

I feel that ‘old’ Apple would have put the R&D into all these products and just released one highly curated version that works the best.

Now it seems they’re just going to throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

The key phrase is “Apple hardware capabilities”. No company comes even remotely close to Apple hardware expertise. My bet is Apple will get it right

 

[Isamilis]

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared a detailed roadmap of the company's Vision and smart glasses plans until the end of the decade.

Apple apparently has at least seven projects in development, including three "Vision" devices and four smart glasses products. Kuo says that five of these products have "confirmed" development timelines, while two remain to be confirmed. Here's what to expect:

2025

• Apple Vision Pro (M5): A refreshed first-generation Vision Pro. Featuring the M5 chip with no other changes, the new device will not be considered to be a "second generation" model. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025 and Apple is expecting to ship 150,000–200,000 units this year. It will likely remain a niche product. The second generation model is simply designed to maintain market presence and support ecosystem development, as well as reduce inventory of excess components in the supply chain.

2026

• No new Vision or smart glasses products to be released.

2027

• Apple Smart Glasses: Similar to Meta Ray-Bans, Apple's first smart glasses product will offer multiple frame and temple material options for a more personalized look. It will feature voice control and gesture recognition, but there will be no display. Key features include audio playback, photography and videography, and AI-powered environmental awareness. Some users will use the smart glasses to replace their AirPods or iPhone camera in certain situations. Mass production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027, with Apple expecting shipments of three to five million units in the launch year. It will likely be the first Vision or glasses product to achieve significant sales volume.
• Apple Vision Air: Featuring all-new design that is "substantially lighter," with over 40% weight reduction compared to the Vision Pro. This weight reduction will be achieved by replacing glass with plastic, using magnesium alloy, and reducing the number of sensors on the device. It will contain Apple's latest flagship iPhone processor of the time, rather than an M-series chip. It will come at a "significantly lower price point" than the Vision Pro. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.

2028

• Apple Vision Pro (second generation): Apple's true second generation Vision Pro headset will debut an entirely new design with a significantly reduced weight. It will feature a powerful, Mac-grade processor and a lower price point. Mass production is projected to begin in the second half of 2028.
• Apple XR Glasses: While the product will feature voice control and gesture recognition like the company's first smart glasses, this more advanced version will add a color Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) display with waveguide optics. AI will apparently be critical to the device's success. Mass production is scheduled for the second half of 2028. Several other brands are expected to release similar products before Apple to establish early market presence, but due to the nature of this category of devices as early technology, these products will probably remain niche offerings over their first few years of existence.

2029 and Later

• Apple XR Glasses (second generation or variant): A different version of Apple's XR glasses introduced in 2028, with a later production timeline. Little is known about this device at present.
• Display Accessory (development paused): An all-new kind of device that uses a tethered connection to display content from Apple devices like iPhones and Macs. It features display technology from Birdbath optics with electrochromic dimming. The device was originally scheduled to enter mass production in the second quarter of 2026, but its development was paused in the fourth quarter of 2024 because Apple questioned its competitive advantage over other existing products. Apple's version had a weight of 120–130 grams, versus a sub-100 gram weight of competitors. Apple is currently reviewing the product for "repositioning and specification refinement," and a project restart is possible.

Kuo believes that Apple has considerable competitive advantages in its plan to offer a range of Vision and smart glasses products, due to its robust hardware development capabilities and unique ecosystem integration. The main challenge facing the company remains AI-powered features and software. See Kuo's full report for more information.

Article Link: Report Reveals Apple's Secretive Vision Products Roadmap

Apple need to design lighter, faster and (much) cheaper vision devices. Otherwise it will be just a very niche product.

 

[nfl46]

Let's go! I can't wait to see how even better these get in the upcoming years.

Good thing for most that don't have one, we will get two more big updates (VisionOS 27 / 28) before the Vision Air is released. By then, the software will be much better for the masses.

 

[nfl46]

I feel that ‘old’ Apple would have put the R&D into all these products and just released one highly curated version that works the best.

Now it seems they’re just going to throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks.

Well, the AR/VR market isn't selling too well so at this point, they may as well throw everything against the wall to see what sticks. Give people options since this market isn't huge yet.

 

[JapanApple]

Well, we’re gonna have to wait. That’s not a bad thing, but the future does look promising.

 

[TechRunner]

"Apple Vision Air: Featuring all-new design that is "substantially lighter," with over 40% weight reduction compared to the Vision Pro."

As long as it includes a corresponding 40% price reduction, it should sell.

 

[klasma]

All of this seems reasonable enough, although seemingly a year later than I’d expect, but I don’t believe for a second Kuo got access to Apple’s product roadmap.

These roadmaps aren’t possible without supply-chain involvement. Suppliers have to plan for and confirm the viability of supplying parts in certain time frames for launch, and have to develop the parts for the specific use case in the first place. That’s where Kuo is getting his leaks from.

 

[Kylo83]

What would the m5 one do that the m2 can’t exactly

 

[surferfb]

These roadmaps aren’t possible without supply-chain involvement. Suppliers have to plan for and confirm the viability of supplying parts in certain time frames for launch, and have to develop the parts for the specific use case in the first place. That’s where Kuo is getting his leaks from.

I’m well aware how Kuo operates, but I guess I’m mostly disagreeing with the framing of the Article, which makes it sound like Kuo got leaked something from Apple.

 

[nfl46]

What would the m5 one do that the m2 can’t exactly

I guess we will find out later this year.

But my guess is, it gives developers better hardware to work with and allows them to create better software for the future. Plus the M5 will likely have better battery life so that is appreciated but for us OG AVP users, this update isn't for us.

 

[fatTribble]

I know several people who really wanted to buy the Vision Pro but didn’t want to get the first version. The M5 will definitely tempt them. I’m still really happy with the original version. It does what I wanted and has improved a lot through upgrades.

 

[iamgalt]

If they just got rid of the useless front facing screen that does nothing but show a creepy version of the users eyes, it would reduce complexity, cost, and weight, not to mention increasing battery life. That combined with M5, I think, would get a lot more people to purchase it, giving developers incentive to develop new apps for it. That might make this timeline a possibility. but if costs don't drop, and developers don't see a reason to develop apps for it, I don't see this timeline happening.

 

[t0mbola]

 Apple No Vision 2025

 

[Camerondonal]

No Vision Air till 2027?? That seems bizarre and I am highly doubtful. Why would Apple not focus on and prioritise a more affordable, bigger selling, more wearable version, with the desirable side-effect of increased developer interest? Delaying the latter for two whole years makes little sense unless Apple engineers have run into some very significant technical hurdles - it's also in contradiction to several earlier reports suggesting the Air was Apple's current priority visionOS product

 

[lilkwarrior]

I’m probably not the only one who feels that none of those devices are for me. Another device to buy, carry/wear, charge, worry about. Same reasons why I sold my Apple Watch. Not enough use for me, personally. iPhone does all I need.

…A phone is not nearly as convenient or easier as a watch for sports and active activities and information contexts as a watch.

The same applies to a smart glasses and AR for things like hands free, ultra wide and private viewing contexts spatial computing devices provide.

For example it’s far more optimal, convenient, and safer to follow map directions or capture cycling footage from glasses than both a phone and watch.

 

[Rychiar]

What’s the point of the m5 then in the so called Vision Pro 1. Why not at least do another change or make it cheaper

Apple has all this money yet seems to struggle more than any other company at actually advancing any products