Apple's Vision Pro has yet to create a significant impact in the market, largely due to its high price point and an extensive feature set that includes everything but the kitchen sink. However, Apple remains committed to this technology platform. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his accurate forecasts regarding Apple's product lineup, recently shared a roadmap indicating that Apple is set to introduce a new series of mixed reality devices starting in 2027.
Kuo asserts that Apple continues to perceive head-mounted devices as the next significant trend in consumer electronics. This sentiment was previously echoed by Apple CEO Tim Cook prior to the launch of the Vision Pro. Despite the relatively modest sales figures for the Vision Pro as a niche product, ongoing investment by Apple indicates a steadfast commitment to this technology.
Interestingly, Kuo notes that Apple does not plan to launch any new head-mounted devices in 2026. Instead, the rollout is scheduled for 2027 and 2028. A much-anticipated upgrade, informally referred to as Vision Pro 2, is expected to debut no earlier than mid-2028. This new headset will likely transition from Apple's M2 system-on-a-chip to the more advanced M5, promising a substantial increase in performance.
According to Kuo's insights, Apple may introduce a product dubbed Vision Pro 1.5, set to begin production in Q3 2025. This iteration will mirror the existing Vision Pro but will feature an upgrade from the M2 to M5 chip without any changes to its design. Additionally, a new product named Vision Air is also in the pipeline, with production anticipated to start in Q3 2027. Kuo predicts that Vision Air will be over 40% lighter than the first-generation Vision Pro and will utilize Apple's flagship iPhone processor instead of the robust Mac processor found in the original Vision Pro—all while maintaining a significantly lower price point.
The remarkable weight reduction in Vision Air will be achieved through the use of glass-to-plastic replacements, extensive magnesium alloy materials (with titanium alloy considered too costly), and a decreased sensor count.
Both the Vision Pro and the forthcoming Vision Air are designed as fully immersive VR headsets that support augmented reality by showcasing the user's surroundings on internal screens, utilizing data captured by external 3D cameras. While this technology offers exciting possibilities, it also results in a device that can be cumbersome and impractical for everyday use.
The ultimate goal for many is the development of smart glasses that are virtually indistinguishable from regular eyewear, capable of displaying similar AR content as the Vision Pro but through transparent lenses rather than a camera-to-screen system. Kuo's roadmap indicates that Apple is actively pursuing this vision, with plans for mass production of display-free, Ray-Ban-like glasses set for Q2 2027. Kuo estimates that Apple aims to ship between 3 million and 5 million units of these glasses by the end of 2027, signaling a significant expectation for this form factor to resonate more with consumers than the Vision Pro’s VR-centric approach.
These innovative glasses will feature a voice-controlled and gesture-recognition user interface, but intriguingly, they will not include any display functionality. Instead, their core features will encompass audio playback, camera capabilities, video recording, and AI environmental sensing. The actual AR glasses, which will integrate display functionalities, are projected to launch in 2028.
In summary, while the Vision Pro may not have made the anticipated market impact, Apple is clearly investing in the future of mixed reality and augmented reality technologies, with a strategic roadmap that promises exciting developments in the coming years.
