Meta's VR Glasses are the product Vision Pro should have been; sources say Apple Vision team is working on a revamped headset, but the work is on "life support"

Apple's next Vision Pro headset may integrate computing and battery power directly into the device.

Apple is reportedly developing a successor to its Vision Pro headset, codenamed N224, with potential release between late 2028 and early 2029. This new project is exploring four distinct concepts, including designs that integrate all computing hardware and battery within the headset, similar to Meta's recently launched VR glasses. Apple is also experimenting with lighter materials like plastic and titanium, while still considering an external puck for computing and battery, mirroring Meta's approach. This comes after an earlier project for a lighter headset, codenamed N100 and speculated as Vision Air, was shelved last year. The company's efforts aim to address portability concerns and expand the Vision Pro lineup beyond the current design.

Apple's renewed focus on a redesigned Vision Pro, particularly concepts integrating processing and battery within the headset, indicates a significant shift in their spatial computing strategy. This mirrors the direction Meta has taken, suggesting a market consensus is forming around a more self-contained and potentially lighter user experience. The exploration of various materials also points to an effort to reduce the device's weight and improve comfort, addressing a key criticism of the initial Vision Pro model.

The potential for a self-contained design, coupled with the delayed timeline for a successor, suggests Apple is prioritizing a more refined and competitive offering rather than a rapid iteration. This allows competitors like Meta to potentially gain market share in the interim, but positions Apple to launch a product that may better compete on form factor and user experience. The next few years will be critical in observing how these design philosophies evolve and impact the broader mixed-reality market.