Apple is set to launch a more affordable and lighter variant of the Vision headset in June 2025 | Chinese sources cite insider data allegedly from the supply chain, according to which the release of the next model has been expedited, deviating from the initial plan that slated its launch for September 2025.
The gadget is reportedly around 400 grams, substantially lighter than the Vision Pro’s 650 grams. While this may seem improbable, considering the current generation’s production scale reaches hundreds of thousands, the potential for such demand cannot be entirely dismissed. It hinges on various uncertainties, including investment in marketing, ecosystem development, and the product’s inherent features.
Speculation about the expansion of Vision production inevitably leads to the possibility of display production. If Apple wants to keep microOLED matrices, it needs to increase supplies from Sony or find other partners. Meanwhile, companies are reluctant to invest in this area, as they consider it more strategically more rational to invest in the technology of the next decade – microLED, that is, inorganic light-emitting diodes that do not have the disadvantages of organics, such as rapid degradation.
Samsung Display’s management is optimistic about the future of microLED technology. Last year, Kopin made significant progress by launching eyeglass displays that offer a 4K resolution in a stereo pair, aligning new technology with the current mainstream pixel count.
The cost of displays constitutes a considerable portion of the Vision Pro’s price. Increased competition among suppliers could also contribute to reducing costs, potentially increasing the device’s sales, which remains prohibitively expensive for the average consumer. Media reports last year indicated that Apple was evaluating new microOLEDs from two Chinese suppliers, BOE and SeeYa Technology, but the results of these evaluations remain undisclosed.
Apple might alternatively opt for LCD panels, which are significantly cheaper and more widely available. However, LCDs have a lower pixel density, which would necessitate either a reduction in resolution or an enlargement of the device—both undesirable options given Vision Pro’s emphasis on high resolution and the need to maintain a compact form factor.
The delayed release schedule could be a misunderstanding of the typical cycle, which involves releasing a developer sample at WWDC followed by a consumer release in the fall.
Other reports suggest that more affordable glasses may feature modified A-series processors, potentially omitting an external display. The iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro processor, with its hexa-core graphics, delivers approximately 60% of the M2’s performance, which is a reasonable compromise for a mobile device. With the ongoing release of major games for the iPhone, mirroring the development trajectory of the Quest, this approach remains plausible. Future A18 Pro or A19 Pro processors are expected to handle immersive tasks even more effectively.
As for the cost of these “budget” Vision glasses, rumors suggest a price range of $1,500 to $2,500. Whether this is considered affordable is subjective.
