Apple Abandons More Affordable Version of Vision Pro to Accelerate Development of Smart Glasses — Bloomberg

Apple has put a hold on a planned update to its Vision Pro XR headset to focus on developing smart glasses that will compete with the Meta devices. According to Bloomberg, the company is developing at least two versions: one without a display that will connect to an iPhone, and another with a display that could compete with the Meta Ray-Ban Display.

Apple is preparing smart glasses with speakers, cameras, voice control, AI and several body styles. The model without a display (N50) could be shown as early as 2026, and released in 2027. The version with a display, which was originally planned for 2028, the company wants to make earlier. Apple is also working on a new chip for better performance and energy saving.

Meta previously released its Ray-Ban Stories (2021) and Ray-Ban Meta (2023) and recently updated the non-display models with improved cameras and battery. So Apple doesn't want to be left behind and is looking to gain a foothold in the smartglasses market, where voice control and AI are becoming key features.

The Vision Pro, launched in 2024, proved expensive ($3,499), heavy, and limited in content, so Apple is shifting its focus to compact wearables. However, the company is not giving up on updating the Vision Pro: a "moderate" update with a new chip is expected by the end of 2025.

Analysts believe that Apple's strategy reflects a shift in priorities: from bulky headsets to lighter, socially oriented devices that could become an alternative to smartphones in the future.