Apple reportedly working on cheaper, lighter and Mac-connected Vision Pro
Instead of polishing up the Vision Pro, Apple is reportedly breaking it apart and rebuilding it to make it more accessible.
The Apple Vision Pro made a strong first impression. It was bold, packed with cutting-edge tech, and showed off Apple’s vision for the future of spatial computing. But it was also heavy, expensive, and clearly not built with everyday users in mind.
Initial sales reflected the product’s niche appeal. Estimates suggest Apple sold around 200,000 units of the Vision Pro in its first few months—strong for an early-stage headset but far from a breakout hit. If Apple wants to push this tech into more homes and workplaces, it needs to make it more accessible.
Apple seems to know that.
According to Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, the company is already at work on two new versions of the headset. One is designed to be lighter and more affordable, directly addressing two of the biggest criticisms of the current model. The Vision Pro weighs up to 1.5 pounds and starts at $3,499. That’s not exactly mass market. Apple wants to bring that down, physically and financially.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
The second model takes a different approach. It’s a headset designed to connect directly to a Mac through a wired connection. Gurman says Apple is targeting professional environments where lag isn’t an option, like in operating rooms or flight simulators.
This wired model might sound familiar. Apple had once been working on transparent AR glasses that linked to your Mac or iPhone, but that project was canceled earlier this year. Instead of shelving the idea completely, it’s now evolving into a more practical device. Rather than transparent lenses, this version will use an opaque display system like the current Vision Pro optimized for direct Mac integration and focused solely on ultra-low-latency streaming.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
These versions may not have the flash of the original, but it could quietly carve out its own space—especially as Apple positions itself more seriously in the broader VR and AR market, where companies like Meta are already moving fast.
Despite these developments, Apple hasn’t lost sight of its original goal. Gurman notes that Tim Cook is still pushing for true augmented reality glasses that are light, comfortable, and wearable throughout the day. That product is still years away, but Apple’s current moves are laying the foundation.
There’s no word yet on when either headset will launch, but Apple is clearly shifting gears—and redefining what the Vision Pro lineup could become.
Kelechi Edeh
