Monday, April 14th 2025

Apple Vision Pro 2 Design Goals: Lighter, Cheaper, and Faster

Apple is preparing to update its Vision Pro headset lineup with two new models. The first one, known inside the company as Vision Pro 2, will use Apple's upcoming M5 chip, which should boost performance and improve battery life. Apple also plans to make this model lighter and less expensive than the current version, which starts at $3,499 for 256 GB of storage in the US. Although Apple has not shared exact numbers, the goal is to address feedback about the headset feeling front-heavy, as it currently weighs between 600 g and 650 g, depending on the headband setup. Apple engineers are experimenting with lighter alloys and a revised seal and cushion design that should be more comfortable during long sessions to reach those weight targets. The aim is to bring the Vision Pro closer to the weight of competitors like Meta's Quest 3, which is about 515 g. Lowering the price will be another challenge, especially since the Vision Pro is built entirely in China, where supply chain pressures have been growing.

Alongside Vision Pro 2, Apple is developing a second headset specifically for wired connection to a Mac. This version will likely use a high-bandwidth cable such as Thunderbolt or a custom connector to stream the Mac's display with low latency. The current Vision Pro can already extend a Mac screen over Wi-Fi. Still, professionals in areas like surgical planning and flight simulation need consistent performance, which only a wired link can provide. Apple's enterprise team positions this model as a niche tool for pro users rather than a consumer device. However, Apple's big dream remains true: augmented reality glasses that overlay graphics on transparent lenses. CEO Tim Cook has made this a top priority, believing it is essential to stay ahead in spatial computing. The company is focused on shrinking the optics and improving light transmission, two key issues on the path to making real AR glasses a reality.
Source: Mark Gurman
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7 Comments on Apple Vision Pro 2 Design Goals: Lighter, Cheaper, and Faster

#1
redeye
why bother Apple. it’s not going to cost the same price as the PlayStation VR two, original price!…
Posted on Reply
#2
evernessince
Of course it felt front heavy, that much weight with a strap design straight from first gen VR headsets was never going to bode well.
Posted on Reply
#4
GhostRyder
I guarantee you their idea of cheaper is not going to be a couple hundred bucks at most difference. There is no world they will read the room and drop the price to something reasonable (Or premium reasonable).
Posted on Reply
#5
bonehead123

[SIZE=4]"Apple Vision Pro 2 Design Goals: Lighter, Cheaper, and Faster"[/SIZE]

Well DUH.... said absolutely NOBODY :D

If they can't do all these things, then it will be D....DO...DOA from day 1, at least in the US anyways !
Posted on Reply
#6
Scircura
The software situation for the Gen 1 device seems pretty bad. You can't really game on it. (It doesn't even have Beat Saber!) And even with the advanced optics, text clarity is about equivalent to a 1080p monitor, so it's not a desktop replacement. It's mostly only good for watching movies by yourself.

But if Apple can convince people to pay for a $1299 iPad Pro, which is just a media consumption device with a 13" screen, they can probably do the same for a $1999 (guesstimate) Gen 2 headset. May as well give the hardware team something to do even while the visionOS team is lost in the woods.
Posted on Reply
#7
mechtech

[URL='https://www.techpowerup.com/335438/apple-vision-pro-2-design-goals-lighter-cheaper-and-faster']"Apple Vision Pro 2 Design Goals: Lighter, Cheaper, and Faster[/URL]"

$25 less...............SUCCESS!!!!!
Posted on Reply
Apr 15th, 2025 17:36 EDT change timezone

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