Since its launch in early 2024 at a price of $3,499, Apple has not significantly updated its Vision Pro headset hardware. Instead, the company has focused on enhancing the user experience through a series of software updates. However, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a new version of the Vision Pro may be released as soon as this year. This updated model is expected to feature a replacement for the aging Apple M2 chip and a more comfortable strap design.
The anticipated update to the Vision Pro is set to include the Apple M4 processor, which debuted in last year's iPad Pro and has since been implemented in various devices, including new MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, a redesigned iMac, and an updated Mac mini. Our testing of the M4 chip, alongside benchmarks available through platforms like Geekbench, reveals that it delivers approximately 50% better multicore CPU performance and 20-25% enhanced graphics performance compared to its predecessor, the M2. These improvements are vital for the Vision Pro, which requires the ability to render high-resolution images with minimal latency.
In addition to chip enhancements, the new Vision Pro is expected to feature advancements in video encoding and decoding hardware and an upgraded image signal processor. These upgrades should result in noticeable improvements in the headset's passthrough video feed. Furthermore, Apple is reportedly redesigning the headbands of the Vision Pro to alleviate neck strain and discomfort, allowing users to wear the headset for extended periods more comfortably. Despite these modifications, the overall design of the device is expected to remain similar, maintaining a weight of approximately 1.3-1.4 pounds, similar to the current M2-powered model.
While the report does not provide specific details regarding pricing for the updated Vision Pro, it is noteworthy that Apple has made price adjustments on M4-equipped Macs over the past year. By increasing the minimum RAM from 8GB to 16GB, Apple has effectively reduced prices, signaling a potential for a similar strategy with the Vision Pro. Although a price reduction would not necessarily transform the Vision Pro into a mass-market product, it could indicate a shift towards making the device more accessible.
Gurman also hints at a more radically redesigned version of the Vision Pro coming in 2027, which would aim to significantly reduce the headset's weight. Additionally, Apple is reportedly developing a tethered version of the Vision Pro tailored for enterprise applications, along with less intrusive augmented reality glasses reminiscent of Meta's experimental Orion headset. The ultimate goal is to achieve a seamless integration of digital objects into a user's line of sight, moving beyond the current reliance on passthrough video.
Apple's forthcoming software update, visionOS 26, is scheduled for release this fall. This update will introduce several enhancements, including the ability to play 3D video from non-Apple sources, improvements to the digital avatars used during video calls, the addition of iOS-style widgets for applications, and enhanced support for external accessories. Notably, the new Liquid Glass design aesthetic will also be integrated into the overall look and feel of the Apple ecosystem, extending to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS this fall.
