Apple Faces Challenges in Generating Interest for a Budget-Friendly Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro, with its hefty $3,500 price tag, has had a rocky start. Despite showcasing some of the best visuals and hand tracking technology in the VR landscape, the initial excitement around it has fizzled out just months after its debut. A big factor in this could be its sky-high price. The key question now is how can Apple make it affordable and a worthy rival to the Meta Quest 3? It seems that the answer might lie in stripping away some of the features that make the Vision Pro unique.

Inside Apple’s futuristic headquarters, a team is working hard to design a cost-effective version of the Vision headset, set for launch next year. As reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, this more affordable version could be priced between $1,500 and $2,000. Gurman’s insights suggest Apple is considering several cost-reducing measures, such as eliminating the EyeSight exterior display that shows users’ eyes, which many see as an unnecessary extra. Had this been done from the start, it might have balanced the scales better for both buyers and Apple.

This new budget-friendly Vision headset, currently known as N107, might incorporate a less powerful chip than the M2 found in its more expensive counterpart, the Vision Pro. While the Vision Pro has maxed out this CPU, using a less capable chip could help bring down costs. Additionally, Apple might scale back external passthrough capabilities and restrict the field of view. However, this could mean compromising what distinguishes the Vision Pro from the $500 Quest 3.

There are other, less desirable paths Apple could take too. Based on insights from anonymous sources, Gurman reveals that Apple has even toyed with the idea of making this cheaper headset reliant on an iPhone or Mac connection. Other products, like the Spacetop G1, which is priced at $1,800, or the Beam Pro from XReal, also depend on a wired connection and additional power from an exterior device. While these glasses are much more lightweight in comparison, incorporating more wires in the Vision Pro would diminish its intended functionality, a mistake they ran into with the original’s wired external battery pack.

While a revamped version of the Vision Pro is expected by 2026, designated as project N109, Gurman mentions that it may simply need enhancements in comfort and processing power to maintain its status as a premium headset, despite its steep cost.

Apple continues its pursuit of a redefined reality, showing no signs of backing down. As Gurman highlights, the company is actively expanding its VR team, even though predictions for 2025 Vision sales have been tempered. Apple’s long-term vision, echoing CEO Tim Cook’s original aspirations, is focused on developing genuine AR glasses. However, Apple insiders suggest that this innovation might still be a distant goal.

Interestingly, while the Meta Quest 3 remains the more attractive option financially, Meta appears to be channeling more resources into the unexpectedly successful Meta Ray Bans.

Though the recent enhancements to visionOS presented at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) were promising, they haven’t reignited interest in Apple’s pioneering VR headset. The challenges remain—ranging from poor comfort to prohibitive pricing—making it a tough sell, especially when a laptop or smartphone suffices for most work and entertainment needs. Connecting the headset to these devices could underscore how superfluous the headset is compared to gadgets that fit comfortably in a backpack or pocket.