Apples next Vision Pro could look more like Meta VR Glasses

Apple's plans for its next Vision Pro headset are changing as Meta's lightweight VR glasses influence future expectations. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is considering a redesigned headset that mirrors Meta's approach of placing compute components in an external puck. However, the project, known as N224, appears to be on life support and unlikely to launch before late 2028, if ever.

Currently, Apple's focus has shifted towards developing simpler smart glasses without displays. This change comes shortly after Meta unveiled its own VR Glasses at the Meta Connect 2026 event. The $1,299 headset, set to release in spring 2027, is significantly lighter at around 100 grams, about a fifth of Meta's Quest 3 and a fraction of the Vision Pro's weight.

Meta's lighter design was achieved by moving heavy components off the face and into a separate module connected by cable. In contrast, the Vision Pro originally weighed up to 800 grams and was priced from $3,499. Apple apparently recognized these issues early on and even contemplated moving processing to a separate home device, but ultimately, this idea was abandoned.

Since its launch, Apple has shelved three projects aimed at addressing the Vision Pro's shortcomings: N107, N100, and N109. Some senior Apple executives argue that a separate puck would result in an inferior experience and favor an all-in-one design. However, new CEO John Ternus has privately expressed doubt about a heavy and expensive headset, despite publicly remaining optimistic.

Additionally, the Vision hardware team has been demoted within Apple's organizational structure, with its former hardware chief joining OpenAI and the team recently undergoing layoffs. Even if the company persists, a new headset is unlikely to arrive before late 2028 or early 2029.