After Vision Pro was released, everyone wanted to know how long it would be before the company could release a lighter, less bulky version on your face. For a very long time we have been looking forward to a so-called Vision Air, codenamed N100. This project was abandoned last year, although the company is working on a new project with similar aspirations, according to Bloomberg.
Unlike the previous N100 project, it does not seem that the new project, N224, necessarily aims to offer a lower cost offer. Rather, it could be the successor to the current M5-based Vision Pro model, although it could still be priced lower and still offer the flagship experience.
This new version seems relatively early, with Bloomberg reporting that it could arrive between late 2028 and early 2029. That said, it’s unclear what exactly Apple will be aiming for. The company currently has four concepts in the works.
One concept is similar to the recently unveiled Meta VR glasses, which offload the compute and battery to an external puck. Since Vision Pro already has an external battery, offloading the compute doesn’t necessarily seem like a major hurdle, although you would need better thermals and more efficient compute to achieve this.
On the other hand, some Apple executives reportedly don’t like the idea of an external puck and “wish the company would stick with something closer to an all-in-one design.”
In terms of design, Apple could become a bit more experimental compared to the current Vision Pro, with the company reportedly considering other material choices. Excerpt from the Power On newsletter:
A design being tested retains the basic egg-shaped shape of the current Vision Pro, but Apple is actively exploring ways to reduce its weight by experimenting with plastic, titanium, other metals and various materials. The company also continued to explore a standalone puck combining the computer components and battery, similar to the approach used by Meta’s recent VR glasses.
Conclude
Time will tell what Apple actually ends up offering. Given that the A20 Pro chip is incredibly good at its thermal envelope, it seems very likely that in 2 years we could have an A-series chip capable of running visionOS at a higher capacity than the current M5, without the need for active cooling.
I think Apple should go all-in on the idea of Meta VR glasses. Even at a higher price, I think the form factor makes perfect sense. Apple silicon, EyeSight and visionOS will make the product stand out.
What do you think of this new Vision Pro news? Are you a current Vision Pro owner or are you still skeptical about the idea of headsets? Let us know in the comments.
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