After months of lukewarm sales and mounting criticism, Apple is fast-tracking a more affordable version of its mixed reality headset. Dubbed Vision Air, this streamlined wearable is now tipped to launch before the year’s out, possibly alongside new M5 MacBook Pro models, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The original Vision Pro, despite all its cutting-edge bells and whistles, has failed to ignite consumer interest. High return rates, particularly in key markets like China, and halved shipment forecasts have forced Apple to rethink its XR strategy – quickly.
A cheaper, mass-market headset was always in the pipeline, originally thought to be delayed to 2027 or beyond, but Apple now seems eager to speed things along to avoid the entire Vision brand becoming a write-off.
According to Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, Vision Air could arrive by late 2025, though Apple is reportedly pushing hard to launch it even sooner. Should that deadline slip, early 2026 is the fallback. Either way, development is said to be in full swing, unlike a fully-fledged Apple Vision 2.
Originally, Vision Pro was meant to showcase what Apple’s engineering could do at its peak – think spatial video, eye-tracking, advanced passthrough, and a whole suite of sensors. But at $3,499, it priced out nearly everyone but developers and diehards. Apple hoped early adopters would build the ecosystem, but with sales underwhelming, the company now needs broader appeal.
It’s unclear whether Vision Air will replace Vision Pro or sit alongside it as a more palatable option for everyday buyers. In this author’s opinion, the latter seems likely as a means to funnel people from one unit to the next. Only one thing is certain at this point in time: Apple needs a headset that actually shifts units.
While the goal is a budget Vision device, price is still a question mark. This is Apple, so don’t expect it to hit Meta Quest levels. Industry whispers suggest a price north of $1,500, though that’s speculative. The fruit-bearing company is not exactly known for budget-friendly gear, and ongoing tariff pressures haven’t helped.
Still, if Apple can undercut the Pro by even a grand or more while retaining key features, Vision Air could finally bring Cupertino’s headset ambitions back on track. Otherwise, we may be looking at another ambitious Apple project destined for the drawer next to AirPower.
