Apple’s Vision Pro is embracing new AI capabilities while seeing its budget-friendly model delayed. Ming-Chi Kuo, a highly regarded Apple analyst known for deep connections within Apple’s supply chain, says that although the budget Vision Pro was initially expected by 2025, it is now more likely to hit the market not before 2027. This delay contrasts with the second-generation Vision Pro, which isn’t expected until 2025/2026.
The current Vision Pro, however, is receiving major AI-driven upgrades, designed to enhance user interactions and productivity. This aligns with Apple’s strategic approach to refining its mixed reality offerings, even as the market landscape becomes increasingly competitive.
As I understand it, production of the cheaper Vision Pro has been delayed beyond 2027 for a while now. This means Apple’s only new head-mounted display device in 2025 will be the Vision Pro with an upgraded M5 processor.
I think what really drove Apple to delay the cheaper…
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) November 3, 2024
The Budget Vision Pro Model: Why the Delay?
Originally planned for a 2025 release, the budget version of the Vision Pro has shifted to 2027. Analysts suggest that the delay is due to Apple’s need to balance cost reduction with maintaining a compelling user experience. The budget model is expected to have a lower-resolution display and be powered by an A-series chip, rather than the M2 chip used in the current Vision Pro. However, any speculation about a future M5 chip remains unconfirmed as of now.
This calculated delay reflects Apple’s cautious approach. As Kuo points out, merely lowering the price without clear, compelling use cases would not guarantee success, as evidenced by Apple’s past experience with the HomePod mini. The company is betting that waiting for the right combination of technology and consumer readiness will pay off in the long run.
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AI-Powered Updates and visionOS 2 Release
visionOS 2 launched on September 16, 2024, bringing substantial improvements to the Vision Pro. Among these updates is the integration of Spatial Photos, a feature that transforms traditional 2D images into immersive 3D views. This update also includes enhanced gesture control, which makes navigating the mixed reality space more intuitive and responsive (Apple).
The Mac Virtual Display has also been upgraded. It now features ultra-wide, high-resolution virtual screens that utilize foveated rendering, a technology that reduces rendering workload by focusing detail only where the user is looking. Travel Mode, initially optimized for air travel, has been expanded to include train travel, appealing to frequent commuters who use mixed reality for work or entertainment on the go.
The integration of Apple Intelligence, announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, will also represent a significant step in Apple’s AI strategy. Apple said it will enhance how users interact with the Vision Pro by managing notifications more effectively, generating text responses, and facilitating multitasking across applications. The AI rollout is already happening to other Apple devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro and MacBooks with M1 or newer chips.
Broader Strategy and AR Glasses Development
The delay in the budget Vision Pro has led to a renewed focus on Apple’s AR glasses, a long-delayed product now expected to debut in late 2025. Unlike the mixed reality capabilities of the Vision Pro, the AR glasses aim to deliver more straightforward, smartphone-like features in a wearable format. Reports from June 2024 suggest that these glasses are intended to be more lightweight and accessible, positioning Apple to better compete in the growing AR market.
Meta and XREAL are two key players pushing advancements in this space. Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, for example, are seeing important updates with AI integration, and XREAL continues to innovate with products like Beam Pro, a tablet optimized for AR applications. This competitive environment places pressure on Apple to innovate while also making its AR offerings more consumer-friendly.
Market Availability and Future Developments
As of November 2024, the Vision Pro remains available only in the United States. Plans are underway to expand to markets such as China and Europe by late 2024 or early 2025, though earlier claims of availability in Germany and Canada have not materialized. This phased rollout reflects Apple’s strategy of ensuring product quality before broad international distribution.
Canon and Blackmagic Design are collaborating with Apple to develop hardware for spatial video recording, including a new spatial lens for Canon’s EOS R7 camera that debuted this fall. These partnerships underline Apple’s commitment to creating a comprehensive mixed reality ecosystem, even as it navigates complex market dynamics and consumer expectations.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:13 pm CET
