Rumors of a cheaper Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset have been going on for several months, sparking anticipation among tech enthusiasts. However, known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now suggested that this lower-cost version won’t hit the market until at least 2027.
Instead, Apple is reportedly gearing up to release an upgraded Vision Pro model equipped with an M5 processor as early as next year. In a recent post on X, Kuo highlighted that the company’s strategy to launch a budget version of its Vision Pro has shifted. “Apple has delayed its plans for a lower-cost Vision Pro to beyond 2027,” Kuo wrote, noting that a new version featuring the M5 chip is planned for 2025.
Kuo also anticipates a budget model for the HomePods mini, which, despite being a more affordable option, did not significantly boost Apple’s smart speaker market share. “Even after launching the cheaper HomePod mini, Apple’s smart speakers failed to become mainstream products,” he stated.
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What To Expect From a Future Affordable Vision Pro
The analyst suggested that simply lowering the price might not be enough to drive success for the headset. The move seems to showcase Apple’s understanding that cost-cutting alone won’t create compelling use cases for new technology.
The budget-friendly version, should it eventually be released, is said to come with a price tag of around $2,000 ( around Rs 1,68,00). To achieve this lower cost, Apple might employ less expensive materials, equip the device with a less powerful chip, and remove features such as EyeSight—a highlight feature of the current Vision Pro that projects the user’s eyes onto the front display. The quality of the internal displays might also be reduced to maintain a more accessible price point.
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Apple Prioritizing High-End Vision Pro
The first-generation Apple Vision Pro, launched at WWDC 2023, comes with a starting price of $3,499 (approx Rs 2,90,000) for the base 256Gb model. It also offers higher storage options of 512GB and 1TB. The premium headset runs on the company’s in-house M2 chipset and R1 chip and operates using visionOS, supporting both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) functions.
Kuo’s insights suggest that the company is prioritizing the refinement of its high-end Vision Pro lineup rather than rushing a budget model to market. This approach could be tied to ensure robust user engagement and showcasing the practical applications of mixed reality technology before expanding its offerings. The company’s Vision Pro has already rolled out in a few markets, including the US, China, Europe, and Japan.