Following Apple’s announcement of its upcoming Vision Pro spatial computer/headset at WWDC last week, it could be argued that people were impressed with the technology, but skittish as to its $3,500 price tag.
There may be a price break further down the line.
According to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, Apple is currently aiming to release a more affordable AR/VR spatial computer product by the end of 2025. At the same time, Apple is also working on a new version of Vision Pro that features a faster processor inside for even better performance.
Gurman has speculated that the more affordable version of the headset could be dubbed the “Apple Vision” or perhaps the “Apple Vision One”. Gurman also posited the following steps to reducing the price of such a headset, scaling down the quality of the two 4K micro-LED displays as well as the camera and sensor hardware. Gurman also suggests using lower-spec processors as well as removing the spatial audio speakers from the headset itself and instead pushing users toward using their own AirPods Pro for audio:
“Apple could also probably get away with a simpler headband design, require AirPods for spatial audio instead of the strap with speakers in the Vision Pro, move to a physical versus automatic IPD — distance between eye pupils — adjustment and remove features like the 3D camera. Combined with a more refined production process, economies of scale and a cheaper frame, I’d imagine Apple could knock several hundred dollars off the price.”
Finally, Gurman cited the following areas where Apple would be unlikely to compromise quality:
“But there are a few areas I believe Apple will not compromise on in a cheaper Apple Vision. The external screen, known as EyeSight, to show a wearer’s eyes, as well as the eye- and hand-tracking system, are as core to the Apple Vision as a touchscreen is to an iPhone. I would expect a cheaper model to keep those features.”
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.