Apple ‘s hardware strategy is currently navigating two conflicting realities. On one hand, the company is committing to a future built around lightweight AI smart glasses. In line with this, Apple is reportedly shelving the development of a cheaper, lighter Vision Pro headset overhaul. On the other hand, a fresh report states that the launch of the next incremental update to the original headset, the Vision Pro 2 (tentative name), remains on track.

Improved Apple Vision Pro—possibly Vision Pro 2—still on track for release

The core of the news is the halting of Apple’s “affordable” Vision headset , known internally as N100. This breaking development came from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman just yesterday. Later in an X/Twitter post, he added additional details about the future of Apple Vision headsets.

According to Gurman, a new generation of the Apple Vision Pro is still on the way . The delay of the affordable model hasn’t changed this decision. The device, which could be called the Apple Vision Pro 2 , will be “identical to the current model,” according to the tipster. The main difference will be a new, more powerful chipset. The latter is good news for those who opted for the original model. After all, by sharing the vast majority of key specs and features, the Vision Pro will remain around for a long time.

On the other hand, multiple recent reports reflected that Apple was struggling to lower the price of the Vision Pro. This and other factors are leading the firm to take a major strategic pivot. Now, Apple is shifting resources from “affordable” mixed-reality devices toward the more immediate potential of AI-first smart glasses.

Why the cheaper Apple Vision headset model was shelved

Apple’s decision to halt the cheaper Vision Pro version is largely a response to market feedback. The $3,499 Vision Pro faced criticism for its weight, cost, and limited mainstream appeal. Simultaneously, competitors like Meta Platforms have found unexpected success with their lightweight Ray-Ban smart glasses, validating the consumer demand for a less intrusive form factor.

By halting the N100 project, Apple is effectively choosing a long-term vision—the smart glasses—over a mid-term compromise. Executives reportedly acknowledge that the headset form factor is simply too complex and expensive for mass adoption right now.

Apple’s AI smart glasses future

The resources freed up by canceling the N100 are now being used to accelerate Apple’s development of two smart glasses models, both heavily reliant on the Apple Intelligence platform:

  • The Companion Model (N50) : This version will lack a display and will function as an advanced peripheral, relying on a connected iPhone for processing. Apple aims for a potential release in 2027.
  • The Display Model : This more ambitious version features a display built into the lenses. Apple is pushing to accelerate its development to compete with rivals in the augmented reality space. The company was already working on this product, aiming for a 2028 launch. However, due to recent developments, Apple is accelerating the project.