The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plan for 5 New Vision Products

[MacRumors]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's roadmap for new Vision headsets and smart glasses over the next few years.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos​

At the end of June, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo leaked an extensive roadmap of the company's plans for its Vision and smart glasses product lines until the end of the decade. Most recently, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman provided some clarifications about the new Vision Pro that is expected to launch this year. With the information from these two highly reliable sources, here's what we're now expecting:

2025

• Apple Vision Pro (M4): A refreshed first-generation Vision Pro. Featuring the M4 chip, potentially with a more powerful Neural Engine. It will also likely have an all-new head strap with a focus on improving comfort. No other changes are expected and 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.

We discuss our thoughts on each of these devices, how they're likely to fit into Apple's lineup, and how customers may respond. In light of Samsung's announcement of the ultra thin Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 this week, we also touch on Apple's foldable iPhone plans. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel!​

You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

​

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's apparent plan to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip.

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plan for 5 New Vision Products

 

[routine_analyst]

2028 ... "Apple Delays XR Glasses but releases more Memoji options"
2029 ... "Apple Cancels XR Glasses"

 

[Caseman93]

Everything is incredibly boring. Bring better applications to the Mac. Hardware is pointless by now.

 

[Caseman93]

Get rid of the extensive App Store fees and let the floodgates open up for more applications. The Mac is so stupid when it comes to the App Store. When the Sims 2 is ranked number one in a few charts, we got a problem.

 

[citysnaps]

Excellent news! Apple will go far in AR.

 

[Veinticinco]

"Leaked" an Apple hardware roadmap? He's done nothing of the sort.

And these specifics? It's pure weapon-grade speculation, except we now have speculation based on speculation and so on ad infinitum. Opinion presented as fact, just pulled out these so-called professional "analysts" rear end (hence anal-ysts?) to drive clicks, engagement and revenue.

FFS, I'd just settle for a good old-fashioned unapologetic rumour (with a grainy blurred photo) these days.

 

[epox999]

Would not be surprised if they quietly retire that product, unless they drop the price under $1000 can't see too many people picking one up, the people I know who own/owned one basically messed around for the first week then stuck it in a drawer or returned it.

 

[iqapple]

after my wife bought meta rayban glasses, I realised all my fanboy friends had already bought them.
but still insisted they only use them ironically during coffee runs and yoga classes.

then today I bought home assistant green today and turns out all my apple friends had already set up their home using Home Assistant.
but cleverly hid the server behind a fake apple TV to keep their brand loyalty intact.

now i’m thinkin to buy a proper watch brand that has more features, more battery time, etc. I noticed my apple mates had already switched to something else
but still wear their Apple Watch to bed just to track their heartbreak over leaving the ecosystem.

While i’m seriously considering a google phone for the ai features i find out everyone's thinking the same
but somehow still ended up buying the iPhone "just to test how far behind Apple really is."

 

[Olde Dave]

The thing that I find curious about the Vision Pro, or any AR/VR headset for that matter, is just how often are they really used? I have yet to see anyone using any iteration of them out in the wild. I suppose someone could have been wearing Meta Glasses and I wouldn't have noticed those, but I just find it hard to believe that the use is very widespread. I would have thought that by now I would have seen at least ONE person using the Vision Pro somewhere, even if it was just someone who thought they were flexing by having it out in public...

I know that new/different tech can take a while to catch on, but it just seems to me that the whole category really isn't going anywhere. Maybe I'm completely off base though.

 

[Octavius8]

When iPhone was released it was not a niche cathegory. Immediately was a success.
Vision Pro is DOA.

 

[CyberDavis]

Hardware is pointless by now.

Lots of people rely on iPads and iPhones as primary devices.
And to be fair if I ignore the eye watering price the Vision Pro is pretty slick, I had a demo recently whilst in an Apple Store getting a new iPad. I could see use cases and found it exceeded my expectations, but I just can’t justify the cost.

 

[CyberDavis]

The thing that I find curious about the Vision Pro, or any AR/VR headset for that matter, is just how often are they really used? I have yet to see anyone using any iteration of them out in the wild.

I’ve certainly not seen any Vision Pro being used when out and about.
I think even if I could justify cost I don’t think I’d use it in public, it doesn’t feel like that kind of device to me.
At home, or in a hotel room or even the office yes, no problem.

It’ll be interesting to see if they gain traction, I kind of hope they do so the price comes down.

 

[apple2022]

What's next for apple vision pro? the trash!

 

[lilkwarrior]

When iPhone was released it was not a niche cathegory. Immediately was a success.
Vision Pro is DOA.

…Apple didn’t release an iPhone Pro when the iPhone released.

Same thing with the Mac Pro / Mac Studio for Macs, Pro Display XDR for their monitor business, iPad Pro for their tablet business, and so on.

Spatial computing is fundamentally more expensive than traditional computing towards it absolutely making sense to target prosumers first/indefinitely

 

[PracticalMatters]

It’s no longer price prohibitive… in the secondary market. Mine is going there soon

 

[Wieslawo]

When iPhone was released it was not a niche cathegory. Immediately was a success.
Vision Pro is DOA.

Yes, but Apple Watch was not. Jobs did make the iPhone successful.

 

[tadzio]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's roadmap for new Vision headsets and smart glasses over the next few years.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos​

At the end of June, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo leaked an extensive roadmap of the company's plans for its Vision and smart glasses product lines until the end of the decade. Most recently, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman provided some clarifications about the new Vision Pro that is expected to launch this year. With the information from these two highly reliable sources, here's what we're now expecting:

2025

• Apple Vision Pro (M4): A refreshed first-generation Vision Pro. Featuring the M4 chip, potentially with a more powerful Neural Engine. It will also likely have an all-new head strap with a focus on improving comfort. No other changes are expected and 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.

We discuss our thoughts on each of these devices, how they're likely to fit into Apple's lineup, and how customers may respond. In light of Samsung's announcement of the ultra thin Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 this week, we also touch on Apple's foldable iPhone plans. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel!​

You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

​

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's apparent plan to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani,... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plan for 5 New Vision Products

I honestly think Apple is

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's roadmap for new Vision headsets and smart glasses over the next few years.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos​

At the end of June, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo leaked an extensive roadmap of the company's plans for its Vision and smart glasses product lines until the end of the decade. Most recently, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman provided some clarifications about the new Vision Pro that is expected to launch this year. With the information from these two highly reliable sources, here's what we're now expecting:

2025

• Apple Vision Pro (M4): A refreshed first-generation Vision Pro. Featuring the M4 chip, potentially with a more powerful Neural Engine. It will also likely have an all-new head strap with a focus on improving comfort. No other changes are expected and 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.

We discuss our thoughts on each of these devices, how they're likely to fit into Apple's lineup, and how customers may respond. In light of Samsung's announcement of the ultra thin Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 this week, we also touch on Apple's foldable iPhone plans. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel!​

You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

​

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's apparent plan to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani,... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plan for 5 New Vision Products

Honestly, I think Apple is far behind in artificial intelligence and in its headset development, especially when compared to Bigscreen, Beyond 2, Playdream VR, and above all, MeganeX 8K. Apple is really lagging. These plans projected through 2028 clearly show it’s not keeping up with the times.





That doesn’t mean it won’t catch up once it enters the market with a VR device that isn’t just a beta version like the first one was. They call it a niche product, but in reality it’s a beta — it launched without dedicated apps and still lacks them. I’m really disillusioned with Apple.





I still use their iPhone, and I’ll probably continue using the iPad. I was actually looking into buying a headset that isn’t too heavy, and of course, I would have liked it to be part of the Apple ecosystem. But if that’s not the case, I’ll have to turn to alternatives — which naturally comes with consequences. I’ll probably end up leaving Apple in that regard.





The fact that they only aim to improve things by releasing a new chip, a new Apple Vision Pro, or a new strap doesn’t change the reality: the headset is too heavy, too niche, it’s sold in far too few countries, and above all, it costs too much for what it offers — because it’s still a beta, and they’re making us pay for their development roadmap.





They keep raising prices, but the kind of innovation we’ve come to expect from Apple is mostly missing. And this strategy of releasing a low-cost product every 8 years — like they did with the Mac Mini or previously with the iMac — makes me wonder if it’s just a marketing tactic to keep people loosely tied to the Apple ecosystem.

 

[zifty]

The thing that I find curious about the Vision Pro, or any AR/VR headset for that matter, is just how often are they really used? I have yet to see anyone using any iteration of them out in the wild.

I use my AVP all the time, but have never used it in public. I mainly use mine to mirror/extend my MBP's screen so I have an ultra wide display for work while traveling. I even use it in office sometimes when I need to work on confidential data, as privacy filters on my widescreen monitor make the text blurry and still don't keep people directly behind me from seeing my screen. I have used it in some coworking spaces and gotten a few odd looks and couple people asking about it. (It's also incredible for watching movies and shows)

 

[JeziLondon]

Guys we love your show every week. What I would like see more of is a peak behind the curtain more. Of course we want your insight and opinions on all things Apple but would love to hear what your up to for instance tell us what country your in when making the show. I don’t mean personal private life stuff just a bit more of what you guys get up to making the show. That’s all. Keep up the great work

 

[haydesigner]

I know that new/different tech can take a while to catch on, but it just seems to me that the whole category really isn't going anywhere.

I demoed the Vision Pro the week it was released, and I was flat-out blown away! Completely stunned at the demo. Both the sports and the movies were jaw dropping. Really well done for a 1.0 release.

That said, I still feel it is a solution in search of a problem at this point.

I even use it in office sometimes when I need to work on confidential data, as privacy filters on my widescreen monitor make the text blurry and still don't keep people directly behind me from seeing my screen.

That’s the first legitimate professional use case I can remember seeing for the Vision Pro.

 

[lilkwarrior]

Honestly, I think Apple is far behind in artificial intelligence and in its headset development, especially when compared to Bigscreen, Beyond 2, Playdream VR, and above all, MeganeX 8K. Apple is really lagging. These plans projected through 2028 clearly show it’s not keeping up with the times.

…None of these headsets are actually standalone headsets nor do any of them can even watch regular premium content on par with their traditional home hardware including game consoles—essentially all of them don’t even have baseline 10-bit HDR let alone Dolby Vision HDR / HDR10+ (I’m glad MeganeX 8K did personally). 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♂️

Considering the Vision Pro seamlessly connect on Macs, in principle they’re usually worser and less seamless experiences than using the Vision Pro to watch and work on visual content.

They’re obviously better than the Vision Pro for gaming (except gaming from cloud services) but they’re all notably flawed compared to playing most non-VR games on traditional monitors not having HDR.

Like the Pro Display XDR and Nvidia’s prosumer cards (x90), many headset manufacturers are too risk adverse and limit their headsets value proposition arbitrarily lesser than regular consumer hardware that don’t sacrifice things like HDR.

Especially the standalone headset market with Meta tainting the expectations of prices to the average console charging unrealistic prices for a loss supported by businesses unrelated to headsets that has compromises argued to be too severe hurting the reputation of

The Vision Pro in comparison is in a whole better place for the prosumer segment regardless of that tier not affordable for most average people

 

[lilkwarrior]

That’s the first legitimate professional use case I can remember seeing for the Vision Pro.

There’s also the 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide modes you can use anywhere on your Macbooks and Macs that debuted on VisionOS 2 (you only mentioned 1.0).

That’s a productivity game-changer for prosumers to not need to quick-swap monitors or limit themselves to
the Macbook’s small screens getting things done—with standalone apps viewed/used alongside such things (especially during resources-intensive tasks on the host machine such as rendering and AI work).

No 5K2K Ultrawide currently exists on par with the overall quality of the Vision Pro nor are they’re obviously as portable and versatile.

Also you can work on spatial content that’s conventionally prosumer quality alongside existing prosumer hardware such as Apple’s for the first time for a headset for creative professionals.

This is why Canon, Black Magic, Disney+, Music artists, NFL, NBA, Vimeo, and other prosumer-accommodating manufacturers/content providers have embraced spatial content in a way they never did before now that there’s a path to create premium HDR spatial content.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I use my AVP all the time, but have never used it in public. I mainly use mine to mirror/extend my MBP's screen so I have an ultra wide display for work while traveling. I even use it in office sometimes when I need to work on confidential data, as privacy filters on my widescreen monitor make the text blurry and still don't keep people directly behind me from seeing my screen. I have used it in some coworking spaces and gotten a few odd looks and couple people asking about it. (It's also incredible for watching movies and shows)

This is the device usage I think they should have designed around at this point.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Especially the standalone headset market with Meta tainting the expectations of prices to the average console charging unrealistic prices for a loss supported by businesses unrelated to headsets that has compromises argued to be too severe hurting the reputation of

I hate Meta too, but they are not "tainting" anything ... they've created a product to try to address a usage and market.

It doesn't matter how amazing AVP 1, 2 or 3 is if it's priced way higher than a critical mass will be interested in.

People love iPhones.
Price them all at $3k+ and watch sales crater, despite their current popularity.

 

[lilkwarrior]

This is the device usage I think they should have designed around at this point.

It was introduced in VisionOS 2 and will continually be supported by newer Vision Pros being more powerful to compliment the mirroring with standalone functionality invaluable for prosumers as well as continually improved PPI, PPD, and passthrough tech.

The non-pro Vision headset will very much piggyback on such work.