Source: Apple told at least one supplier it has suspended work on the next Apple Vision Pro; sources say Apple still plans a cheaper model by the end of 2025

Apple Suspends Work on Next High-End Headset, Focused on Releasing Cheaper Model in Late 2025 Apple has told at least one supplier …

The Information 2024-06-19

Context & Ripple Effects

Vision Pro entered this decision point after Apple and Luxshare had already cut 2024 production plans sharply because of manufacturing problems, limiting the case for a rapid premium-hardware cadence.

The reported suspension reframes the roadmap around reaching a lower price point. Later coverage of a sharp scale-back in existing Vision Pro production makes the supplier decision more consequential than a routine product refresh.

First-order effects

The supplier notified by Apple loses near-term work tied to a next-generation high-end Vision Pro, while Apple concentrates the active roadmap on a lower-cost model.
A successor to the premium headset is no longer proceeding on its prior development path, leaving the existing Vision Pro as the near-term high-end product.

Second-order effects

Headset-component suppliers must plan for a cost-reduced design rather than an immediate premium refresh, potentially shifting qualification work toward lower-cost parts and manufacturing processes.
The combination of a paused successor and reduced production of the current headset weakens the basis for suppliers and channel partners to plan around rapidly expanding premium-headset volumes.

Third-order effects

If a lower-priced model cannot arrive on schedule—as later reporting indicated when the cheaper Vision Pro was delayed beyond 2027—Apple's spatial-computing effort becomes a longer validation cycle rather than a conventional annual hardware line.
The subsequent reported pivot from a lighter, cheaper headset toward smart-glasses development suggests that product-market fit and wearability, not just iterative Vision Pro specifications, may determine the category's direction.

The trend: This is one step in Apple’s shift from immediate premium-headset iteration toward a longer search for a more accessible and wearable spatial-computing product.

Discussion

@heaney_555 David Heaney on threads
This is the right move, though it will disappoint enthusiasts. Apple needs a cheaper & lighter headset, and the non-Pro Vision headset will reportedly be both: $1500-$2000 and one-third lighter. That's the real moment Apple disrupts this industry; Vision Pro was just a tease.
@marypcbuk.bsky.social Mary Branscombe on bluesky
VR winter turning into an ice age [embedded post]
@dennycloudhead @dennycloudhead on x
I took a lot of sh@t early on for attempting to drive down peer expectations wrt AVP. Citing issues of comfort vs productivity focus (20-30m usage times), a lack of tracked input (which created a HUGE content gap), & basic human laziness impacting all of XR. I genuinely hope
@neilcybart Neil Cybart on x
You can't and shouldn't rely on supply chain “leaks” to figure out Apple's product strategy.
@snazzylabs @snazzylabs on x
What could Apple do to reduce BOM costs? So many things... • move away from aluminum/glass build • cheaper fabric straps • no front display • manual IPD adjustment • no speakers • cheaper, lower-distortion optics • subsequently, larger, cheaper displays • ...and many more
@heaney555 David Heaney on x
@SadlyItsBradley Yup, “suspended” is not the same as canceled. There's every possibility Apple resumes work on Vision Pro 2 after it gets Vision non-Pro shipped.
@itsurboyevan Evan Armstrong on x
this is expected (and a bummer). Vision Pro had the magic, just didn't have the ecosystem support IMO
@kylebrussell Kyle Russell on x
No need to push the frontier further. Just don't lose the opportunity to Meta next year vs Quest 4
@beeple @beeple on x
Apple Vision Air, drastically smaller. first step to normalizing wearing a computer on your face. 🙏 [image]
@ericpresidentvr @ericpresidentvr on x
Rumor: I hope they focus on accessibility. It's always what I will root for most with XR tech. Above all else, headsets should be obtainable to all.
@parkerortolani Parker Ortolani on x
this headline made my heart skip a beat, but it's really much less interesting than that - they're just focusing on the non-pro headset for now
@thurrott Paul Thurrott on x
“Apple has reportedly paused work on Vision Pro 2 in favor of making a cheaper MR headset” It's the old HoloLens/Windows Mixed Reality strategy! I'm sure this time it will work. /s
@jimrayvaughn Jim Vaughn on x
I find it more likely Apple found a way to save cost, not that they are abandoning the price range. I seriously doubt their original plan was another $3500 device. This feels like the reports that apple only sold 400-700k when that was what everyone said original estimates were
@zollotech Aaron Zollo on x
Yeah I figured, just didn't think it would be that fast.
@jordankutzer Jordan Kutzer on x
From the moment we started making VR games, we've received weekly requests from young VR fans asking us for money to buy the cheapest headset possible. This demographic is the one that everyone should be listening to and building products for. This is the VR generation. [image]
@gartenberg Michael Gartenberg on x
A good reason not to buy one unless you really have a need for it.
@rustybrick Barry Schwartz on x
I guess my Apple Vision Pro will fit nicely next to my Apple Newton.
@loopervfx @loopervfx on x
@DennyCloudhead @leguilloux never? strong wording. apple also “burned” 1st gen consumers of the overpriced and under-featured apple lisa/mac, ipod, and iphone (no keyboard or d-pad, rip). it didn't work out for them very well without feature parity & they went bankrupt, sadly :( …
@tomaxwell Thomas Maxwell on x
Remember spatial computing?
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
Making the technologies/components to solve Vision Pro's (and every other HMD's) lingering issues for usage is impossible on an annual cadence Just relax and enjoy the slow ride of progress
@josesaezmerino Jose Saez-Merino on x
Yeah I think this is good, actually. Apple needs users on the platform and for that we need a lower price. XR adoption is already hard enough, high prices make it harder.
@waynema Wayne Ma on x
Apple has halted work on the next version of its high-end Vision headset but still aims to release a more affordable Vision model by the end of 2025. Check out my latest scoop with @QianerLiu for @theinformation https://www.theinformation.com/ ...
@dannyhabibs Daniel Habib on x
I actually don't think this is the right approach. Most people didn't return the Vision Pro because of the cost, they returned the headset because it was too heavy and uncomfortable for large work sessions The cost pushed people to look hard at their purchase during the return
@lunayian Luna on x
“La Jolla would feature Codec Avatars, have higher resolution, and retain Quest Pro's rear-battery design.”
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
Nothing changes what I've been hearing and regurgitating to you all since AVP launch Vision non-Pro: 2025 Vision Pro 2: 2027 There is a couple notable pieces of tech that will still take a couple years to mature for manufacturing before Vision Pro 2 can be worth it
@arian_ghashghai Arian Ghashghai on x
Meta paused the Quest Pro Apple pausing the Vision Pro to focus on a cheaper headset. Quest 2/3 is crushing meanwhile. The demographic for VR are not “pros” and the prosumer angle as a mass-market wedge was always a pipe dream. The VR generation is <15 year olds today
@bzamayo Benjamin Mayo on x
The $3500 price is obviously a huge sales blocker, but imagine the Vision Pro wasn't announced for one moment. The “cheaper” $1500 Apple Vision would still be deemed a high-end headset. Is $1500 low enough for it to move the needle? It's debatable. https://9to5mac.com/...
@waynema Wayne Ma on x
https://www.theinformation.com/ ... Apple has halted work on a the version of its high-end Vision headset but still aims to release a more affordable Vision model by the end of 2025. Check out my latest scoop with @QianerLiu for @theinformation https://www.theinformation.com/ ...
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