Despite the initial buzz around the Apple Vision Pro, the device has not lived up to commercial expectations—likely due to its bulky design and steep price tag of around €4,000. While the headset impressed in hands-on tests with its sharp display and intuitive controls, consumers have yet to find compelling real-world use cases that justify the high-end hardware.
Nevertheless, Apple doesn’t appear to be giving up on the concept of smart glasses. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who shared updates in his latest newsletter, the company is actively developing not one but two follow-up models. One is designed to function as a Mac accessory, and the other aims to directly compete with Meta’s AI Glasses.
Gurman explains that Apple initially considered a simpler update to the Vision Pro, involving a switch from the current M2 chip to a more powerful successor. However, the company reportedly decided to take a bigger leap forward and is now pursuing two distinct devices.
The first model in development is described as a headset that will be “both lighter and more affordable.” Given that the current Vision Pro resembles ski goggles and weighs around 600 grams, this pivot would be a welcome and logical evolution of the product’s core concept.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is said to be fully committed to this vision. Gurman notes, “He wants to create a true augmented reality experience—a lightweight pair of glasses that customers can wear all day. […] Cook has made this goal the company’s top priority and is determined to deliver a market-leading product before Meta can.”
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has already introduced its AI Glasses, which look like standard sunglasses but include integrated AI features and cameras. Meta’s broader XR lineup also includes the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, which offers a more affordable and comfortable alternative to the Vision Pro. Gurman’s sources haven’t provided further details on how exactly a lighter version of Apple’s headset might look, but suggest that truly wearable AR glasses from Apple are still several years away from launch.
A Professional Version Also in the Pipeline
The second model Apple is reportedly working on targets professional users. Unlike the standalone Vision Pro, this device would function primarily as a peripheral for Mac systems.
“The idea is to create a system with ultra-low latency for streaming a Mac display or connecting with high-end enterprise applications,” Gurman writes. He cites potential use cases such as medical procedures and flight simulators, where extremely clear visuals and fast display response times are essential.
So far, Apple has not made any official announcements regarding successors to the Vision Pro. And with Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) scheduled to begin on June 9, no new headset is currently expected to debut. Instead, the event is likely to spotlight the major redesign of iOS 19.
Still, these reports indicate that Apple remains deeply invested in the future of augmented reality, with plans that extend well beyond the current Vision Pro.
