by Tim Hardwick
Apple could offer a cheaper version of its Apple Vision Pro headset by making the device reliant on a tethered iPhone or Mac, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Last week, a report claimed that Apple had suspended work on the second-generation Apple Vision Pro in order to focus on bringing a cheaper model to market. However, Gurman claims Apple shifted resources to developing a cheaper model even before the Vision Pro was released, and he has now offered some more details on how Apple plans to build a more affordable spatial computing unit.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that a prototype lower-cost headset, codenamed N107, has a narrower field of view compared to Vision Pro.
Apple is also considering making this version more reliant on a tethered Mac or iPhone. "That would let Apple save money on the processing power and components needed to make the Vision Pro a fully standalone product," he argues.
Gurman says that Apple is still struggling to bring the cost down while retaining key features. But if it can, Apple plans to launch the cheaper headset as early as the end of 2025. Indeed, this has been the plan "since before the Vision Pro was unveiled last year," he adds.
Gurman doubled down on his reaction to last week's report by noting that Apple has no plans to abandon the high end of the headset market, and while it's "less of a priority," Apple is still working on a second-generation Vision Pro, codenamed N109.
This model is said to look similar to the current Vision Pro, but has a faster processor and improvements to the external cameras. The company reportedly plans to release the Apple Vision Pro 2 by the end of 2026 at the earliest.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro
[ 171 comments ]
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Top Rated Comments
toobravetosave
13 hours ago at 04:05 am
just go outside and look around and save the entire cost + tax
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Etc_
13 hours ago at 04:07 am
Tethered. A word you will never ever see in any Apple ad. Ever.
"We created a new way to connect your iPhone to Vision Non-Pro and we call it Magic Link."
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fatTribble
13 hours ago at 04:11 am
So you can upgrade the processor for your Vision by upgrading your iPhone?
Sounds great to me! ??
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nikaru
13 hours ago at 04:22 am
- Remove expensive CNC machined aluminium and use plastic.
- Remove the external display and glass front.
- Remove battery and storage case from the box.
- Remove M1 chip and let the iPhone handle all the compute power needed.
=
Vision for less than 1000$
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amaze1499
13 hours ago at 04:04 am
Tethered. A word you will never ever see in any Apple ad. Ever.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gleepskip
13 hours ago at 04:24 am
This is hilarious ? and people will pay for it!
It's not as hilarious as people paying $4000 for the AVP.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments
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