Apple’s first crack at the mixed-reality future didn’t quite hit the mark. But the company isn’t done trying. A new version of the headset — unofficially dubbed the Vision Pro 2 — is already in the works and expected to launch by the end of this year.
Production of its key components, including panels, housing, and internal circuitry, has already begun. Suppliers are reportedly scrambling to meet deadlines, which suggests Apple wants to move quickly — possibly to turn the page on the first Vision Pro, which fell well short of expectations.
A do-over for Apple’s Mixed-Reality ambitions
The original Vision Pro launched in early 2024 with big promises of spatial computing and a bold $3,499 price tag. But despite the tech wow-factor, adoption was lukewarm. There weren’t enough killer apps to justify the price, and many users found it uncomfortable, bulky, and hard to fit into daily life. Sales lagged. Production was scaled back. And now, Apple reportedly plans to stop making the first-gen model altogether by the end of 2024.
That’s what makes the Vision Pro 2 such a critical second attempt. Apple rarely gives up on a product category this quickly — and when it does stick around, it tends to course-correct hard.
So, what’s new with Vision Pro 2?
Don’t expect a dramatic redesign just yet. The sequel is rumoured to be an incremental upgrade, not a full-on reboot. The form factor will likely stay mostly the same, but it’ll reportedly come with a new M5 chip inside — giving it a performance boost and possibly better battery life or heat management.
Apple had apparently been working on a more significant overhaul, but that project has stalled for now. So this upgrade is more of a pit stop than a reinvention.
Second time lucky?
With a sleeker chip and (hopefully) better timing, Apple may be hoping for a second chance to make spatial computing mainstream. But unless it nails the price, the content, and the comfort, the Vision Pro 2 might still be too early for its own good.
Apple doesn’t flop often. When it does, the sequel usually has something to prove.
