Apple’s Vision Pro: A Chip Upgrade and a Potential iPhone-Connected Spectacle
Apple is reportedly planning a chip upgrade for its Vision Pro headset, and is also considering acheaper, iPhone-connected version, according to industry analysts.
The news comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who, in his Power On newsletter,echoed earlier reports from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Both analysts suggest Apple is working on a more powerful Vision Pro, likely featuring the M5 chip, though neither specified a release date.
Gurman also revealed that Apple is seriously considering an iPhone-connected glasses device. This device would leverage the iPhone’s processing power and serve as a less expensive alternative to the $3,500 Vision Pro.
I keep hearing that Apple is seriously considering a device that would offload the computing components to the iPhone and serve as an accessory for watching movies, Gurman wrote. This would be similar toglasses offered by companies like Xreal. The benefit for Apple would be that it would reinforce the iPhone as the center of its product ecosystem and offer a potentially more popular option than the $3,500 Vision Pro.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently acknowledged that the Vision Pro is not a mass-market product atits current price point. It’s an early adopter product right now, Cook said. People who want to own the technology of tomorrow — that’s who it’s for. And luckily, there are enough people in that camp that it’s exciting.
The potential for a cheaper, iPhone-connectedVision Pro could significantly expand the headset’s market reach. This strategy would allow Apple to tap into a broader audience seeking a more affordable way to experience augmented and virtual reality.
However, it remains unclear when these new Vision Pro models might be released. Both Gurman and Kuo have suggested that a cheaper Vision Pro version isunlikely to launch before 2027.
This news comes as Apple continues to invest heavily in its augmented and virtual reality ambitions. The company has been developing its own AR/VR hardware and software for several years, and the Vision Pro is its first major foray into this market.
The future ofApple’s Vision Pro remains uncertain, but these recent developments suggest that the company is committed to expanding its presence in the AR/VR space. The company is clearly exploring different price points and form factors to make its technology more accessible to a wider audience.
References:
- Gurman, M. (2024, November 3). Power On Newsletter. Bloomberg.
- Kuo, M. (2024, November 3). Apple plans to release a Vision Pro headset with M5 chip in 2025. 9to5Mac.
- Apple CEO Tim Cook on the Vision Pro: It’s an early adopter product right now. (2024, October 29). Apple.com.
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