Apple Vision 'Air': Lightweight, Budget-Friendly Headset Tipped for Launch in 2025

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a lighter and more affordable version of its Vision Pro mixed reality headset, potentially by late 2025 or early 2026. According to a report by 9to5Mac citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new headset—possibly named “Vision Air”—is being developed to address two major criticisms of the current Vision Pro: its high price and significant weight, which make it unsuitable for extended use and limit its accessibility to the broader consumer market.

Internally, Apple is said to have acknowledged these concerns and is actively working to make the new headset more consumer-friendly in both design and cost. To achieve this, Apple is expected to make several hardware compromises. These may include reducing the number of camera sensors, lowering the resolution of the internal displays, narrowing the field of view, and possibly removing the EyeSight feature—the outward-facing screen that displays the user’s eyes, intended to foster better interaction with people nearby.

Although this lighter model is intended to be more affordable, it might also come with limitations. Notably, reports suggest the device may not be a fully standalone headset. Instead, it could require tethering to a separate device, such as an iPhone or Mac, for processing power and functionality. This would represent a significant shift from the current Vision Pro, which operates as a self-contained device.

In parallel with this effort, Apple is also working on a direct successor to the original Vision Pro. This second-generation model is being tailored more toward enterprise and professional applications. One of its key improvements is expected to be ultra-low latency performance, enabled by a direct connection to a Mac. This feature could make the next-gen headset ideal for scenarios that require real-time visual feedback, such as surgical procedures or advanced flight simulations.

Apple’s dual-path strategy—developing both a high-end professional device and a more accessible consumer model—shows its intention to broaden the reach of its mixed reality ecosystem. The company appears to be learning from the early feedback surrounding the Vision Pro, which, while praised for its innovation, has seen limited adoption due to its steep price and ergonomic drawbacks.

Although no official confirmation or product reveal has been made, more concrete details are expected to emerge during upcoming Apple events, particularly as the proposed launch windows draw near. Apple’s move toward a more affordable and lighter mixed reality headset could significantly influence the industry, as it aims to make spatial computing technology more mainstream and widely adopted.