After the Vision Pro went on sale in other countries in June and July, things have been relatively quiet about Apple’s first mixed reality headset: for example, VisionOS 2, which is due to appear in the fall, isn’t exactly considered a big hit – and it’s still unclear if and when a cheaper version of the device will arrive. According to a Bloomberg report, at least two new models are being planned; one of them, the cheaper version, also called “Vision” in rumors, is probably for 2025.
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It’s the price that matters
It seems that Apple plans to price the new headset in the price range of the more expensive iPhone models. And as is well known, they can range between 1500 and (around/more) 2000 euros. However, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman fears that such a device is not cheaper than $ 1,500 remains a niche product represents. For comparison: the Vision Pro currently costs at least 4,000 euros, while Meta’s Quest 3 costs just 550 euros to start.
Apple is also working on “real” augmented reality glasses that are significantly lighter and more compact than the Vision (Pro). However, this remains a technical problem as the displays available to Apple are not large enough and Apple Silicon SoCs require sufficient space. However, the company is also interested in the idea of glasses without screens, writes Bloomberg. These would then be based on the glasses of Meta and Ray-Ban, which, according to Meta, should be “a bigger hit than expected.”
Apple is expanding content
In addition to the high price, the Vision Pro also suffers from positioning: is the headset purely an entertainment device or for productivity? Apple itself emphasizes both. The manufacturer has recently increased the range of immersive content that is very complex to produce. Vision Pro app providers such as Disney+ and Paramount+ provide new “environments”. At the same time, the company is recruiting professional users for the Vision Pro among corporations.
Mac integration into the Vision Pro interface has gotten better with VisionOS 2; Microsoft is also working on a Integration of remote desktop for headsets.This will make it possible to control Windows machines remotely.
(B.Sc.)
