Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro 2 could be hitting the market as soon as late 2025 or possibly as late as spring 2026, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The next-generation mixed reality headset is expected to retain much of the design from the original Vision Pro, but with significant internal upgrades, most notably an all-new M5 chip.
Mark Gurman, a well-known industry analyst at Bloomberg, has revealed that Apple is already working on several iterations for its Vision headset lineup, with the second-gen Vision Pro likely to be the first to launch. While external design changes are said to be minimal, the major shift will be inside the device, particularly in the form of a more powerful processor. The inclusion of the M5 chip would be a substantial performance boost over the M2 chip currently powering the first-gen Vision Pro.
Despite the promise of enhanced performance, Gurman suggests that the Vision Pro 2 will still be a premium product, with little indication that the device will become more affordable anytime soon. Rumors of a more budget-friendly Vision headset, which could be priced around $2,000, have surfaced, but it appears Apple is not rushing to release this version. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously noted that Apple’s plans for a cheaper Vision headset may not materialize until at least 2027, pointing to a lack of viable use cases as the primary reason for the delay. Kuo draws parallels to the HomePod situation, where even after launching a lower-cost HomePod mini, Apple’s smart speaker efforts struggled to gain widespread adoption.
Sales of the original Vision Pro, which launched in 2023 with a price tag of $3,500, have reportedly been slow. According to IDC, the device experienced a staggering 75% drop in U.S. sales during its second quarter on the market, largely attributed to its high cost and the absence of exclusive content that could attract a larger audience. Estimates indicate that only around 500,000 units have been sold in the U.S. to date.
Despite these challenges, Apple is continuing to improve the Vision Pro experience with software updates. The latest update, visionOS 2, introduced new features, including enhanced hand gestures, spatial photo capabilities, and additional support for mouse input. The recent release of visionOS 2.2 also brought new display options for Mac Virtual Display users, allowing for Wide and Ultra-Wide views.
As for the Vision Pro 2, it’s clear that Apple has big plans for its mixed reality platform, and while the future of the device lineup remains somewhat uncertain, it’s expected that the next iteration will offer notable improvements. Until then, Apple’s current focus seems to be on refining its existing hardware and software to create a more compelling and user-friendly experience for those willing to pay the premium price.
With the Vision Pro 2 still a couple of years away, it remains to be seen whether Apple will adjust its strategy to address concerns about the high cost of entry and the lack of exclusive content that has so far hindered broader adoption. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming software updates and any new hardware developments that could lay the groundwork for the next era of Apple’s mixed reality vision.