Apple Scraps Vision Pro 2 For AI-Powered 'Ray-Ban' Smart Glasses, Gurman Reports

Apple Pivots: Vision Pro 2 Delayed for AI-Powered Smart Glasses, Leans into 'Ray-Ban' Ambitions

In a significant strategic shift, Apple is reportedly shelving plans for an immediate refresh of its Vision Pro headset, instead redirecting valuable engineering resources towards the accelerated development of a new generation of AI-infused smart glasses. This bold move, as detailed by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, signals a recalibration of Apple's spatial computing strategy, acknowledging the lukewarm reception of the premium Vision Pro and the intensifying competition from rivals like Meta.

Reimagining Personal Computing: The Allure of Smart Glasses

The Cupertino giant is now betting its future on elegant, lightweight smart glasses that will be deeply integrated with Apple Intelligence. This represents a departure from the bulkier, more immersive VR/AR headset. The rationale appears to be a desire for a more accessible and everyday wearable device, akin to the unobtrusive style of iconic eyewear like Ray-Ban, but imbued with sophisticated AI capabilities. This pivot involves reassigning engineers who were working on Vision Pro's redesign to this ambitious new smart glasses project.

A Two-Pronged Approach to Smart Eyewear

Apple is said to be developing two distinct models of these next-generation glasses, each with a staggered release timeline. The first, codenamed N50, is envisioned as a supplementary device, likely tethered to an iPhone for processing power and data management. Notably, this initial model will not feature its own display, suggesting a focus on audio, notification, and perhaps discreet information delivery. Its launch is tentatively slated for 2026, with market availability anticipated in 2027.

Concurrently, Apple is striving to expedite the development of a more advanced model that will boast an integrated display. This premium version, initially scheduled for a 2028 debut, is designed to directly challenge existing and future offerings from Meta and other tech heavyweights in the burgeoning AR glasses market. The urgency to bring this more sophisticated device to consumers underscores Apple's concern about the market's current trajectory and its own positioning within it.

Lessons Learned from Vision Pro's Debut

The decision to reallocate resources stems directly from the underwhelming performance of the initial Vision Pro release. Priced at a formidable $3,499, the headset was deemed by many consumers to be too complex, cumbersome, and prohibitively expensive for widespread adoption. Apple seems to have recognized that the 'wow' factor of its groundbreaking headset wasn't enough to overcome these practical barriers.

The success of these future smart glasses will hinge significantly on the power and intuitiveness of Apple Intelligence and the significantly upgraded Siri assistant, slated for a March release. These devices are expected to feature proprietary Apple silicon, integrated cameras for media capture, and advanced voice control. Furthermore, Apple is exploring the inclusion of health-tracking functionalities, hinting at a holistic approach to personal technology.

Strategic Abandonments and Incremental Updates

This strategic realignment also includes the abandonment of previously considered projects. Apple had been exploring a simplified, more affordable version of the Vision Pro, but ultimately decided against it in favor of a more substantial overhaul. Likewise, a device codenamed N107, intended to serve as an external digital display for Macs and other Apple products, has also been scrapped. However, Apple hasn't entirely abandoned the Vision Pro. A minor update, focusing on a faster processor within the existing design, is still anticipated by the end of the year.

It's worth noting that Meta, a primary competitor in the mixed-reality space, has also encountered challenges selling its enclosed VR headsets, despite their significantly lower price points compared to the Vision Pro. This shared market friction, combined with Meta's own increased focus on AI and glasses, likely influenced Apple's strategic pivot. Meta itself has de-prioritized new mixed-reality headset releases this year, signaling a broader industry shift towards less immersive, more utility-focused wearable technologies.