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Apple’s Next Big Move in AR/VR: An Overview
Apple is actively preparing the next chapter of its mixed-reality headset journey. According to recent reports from industry insiders Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a more affordable and lighter version of the Apple Vision Pro—codenamed N100 and potentially branded as Apple Vision Air—is currently in development. However, this budget-friendly model is not expected to hit the market until late 2027.
The N100 is designed to solve two of the major complaints surrounding the original Apple Vision Pro: its heavy weight and its premium price tag. To make the device more accessible, Apple is considering several cost-reduction strategies, including using plastic casings instead of aluminum, and possibly removing some advanced features, such as the EyeSight external display. Additionally, it may come equipped with fewer sensors, which could streamline production and reduce costs.
The final design has not been locked in yet, but production is reportedly on track to finish in 2026, followed by a public release the following year. In the meantime, Apple isn’t standing still. A new Vision Pro generation with a redesigned head strap and a faster M5 chip is expected to debut as early as the end of 2025, serving as an incremental update while Apple works behind the scenes on the budget-friendly model.
On the software side, Apple continues to evolve the platform with visionOS 26, which is also expected later this year. The update will include new features aimed at enhancing the headset experience, maintaining user interest while Apple builds out its long-term strategy.
The Apple Vision Air, although still unconfirmed by Apple officially, seems to be the company’s answer to widespread consumer demand for a more practical and affordable AR/VR experience. This strategic move could reshape the landscape for wearable technology and make spatial computing more mainstream by the decade’s end.
What Undercode Say: 🔍 An Analytical Breakdown
Apple’s Market Strategy in the Mixed Reality Space
Apple is following a textbook long-term product strategy. By first launching a high-end premium device, the company builds excitement, earns credibility, and sets a benchmark. The Vision Pro introduced in 2023 did exactly that, showcasing Apple’s ability to innovate in the XR space. But, with steep pricing (starting at \$3,499) and noticeable bulk, mass adoption was limited to early adopters and developers.
Targeting the Mass Market with Vision Air
By working on a cheaper model—Vision Air—Apple is preparing to democratize spatial computing. This strategy mirrors what Apple did with the iPhone and Apple Watch: release a premium model, then follow it up with mass-market alternatives that maintain the ecosystem but reduce the entry cost.
If Apple delivers the Vision Air around the rumored \$1500-\$2000 range, it could open the floodgates to a new consumer segment—tech enthusiasts, educators, creatives, and small businesses—who found the Vision Pro financially out of reach.
Hardware Trade-offs: Balancing Cost vs Experience
Apple’s approach to reducing cost by using plastic materials and removing some sensors may impact the device’s capabilities, but if done wisely, it won’t compromise its appeal. Features like EyeSight, while innovative, may not be essential for mainstream users. Similarly, reducing the number of spatial cameras and eye-tracking components could cut costs significantly, while still delivering a robust AR experience.
VisionOS 26: Software Is the Secret Sauce
A powerful device is only as good as the software that runs it. With visionOS 26, Apple seems focused on enriching user experience, improving usability, and adding key features that justify continued engagement. This constant evolution of software ensures that even existing Vision Pro users remain satisfied and that newer, cheaper models can benefit from a mature and refined OS.
Timing Is Everything
Launching the Vision Air in late 2027 aligns with Apple’s typical product refinement cycle. This delay allows competitors like Meta (with its Quest series) to define market expectations, while Apple enters later with a polished, optimized, and ecosystem-integrated product. It also gives the AR/VR industry more time to mature and for component costs to drop, improving Apple’s margins.
Long-Term Implications
If successful, the Vision Air could act as a Trojan horse—lowering the barrier to entry, expanding the user base, and securing Apple’s dominance in the future of spatial computing. Developers will have greater incentives to build for the platform, and third-party accessory markets will flourish.
✅ Fact Checker Results:
- ✅ Apple Vision Air (N100) expected in 2027: Confirmed by both Kuo and Gurman reports.
- ✅ New Vision Pro model with M5 chip in 2025: Reported by Bloomberg as an interim upgrade.
- ✅ Cost-cutting measures in development: Cheaper materials and feature trimming are under discussion internally.
🔮 Prediction:
Apple’s Vision Air will likely launch alongside or shortly after the iPhone 19 series in 2027, with heavy integration into Apple’s existing ecosystem. Expect key features like FaceTime AR, spatial video, and immersive productivity tools to remain, while non-essential components like EyeSight or LiDAR are dropped. The pricing could start at \$1,499, putting pressure on rivals like Meta, Google, and Samsung. If Apple balances performance and affordability right, Vision Air could become the AR headset that finally breaks into the mainstream.
References:
Reported By: 9to5mac.com
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