The first upgrade to the Apple Vision Pro is still expected to arrive in 2025, with performance and comfort changes expected for the headset.
The Apple Vision Pro made a splash at launch, but hasn’t really made as much of an impact as initially expected. While Apple may be a long way away from a full second-generation update, a tweaked version of what’s already available could be on the way soon.
According to Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple’s first upgrade to the Apple Vision Pro is expected, potentially as soon as late 2025.
The upgrade will be a refinement instead of a completely new headset, with people familiar with the device saying that the tweaks will include a change to a faster processor and other components. The performance change will help it run artificial intelligence better.
That upgrade could consist of an M4 chip, up from the M2 used in the existing headset.
The other main change is comfort-related, with new straps being prototyped to reduce neck strain. At 1.4 pounds, the Apple Vision Pro’s weight has been a consistent pain point, so mitigating that will be beneficial to users.
Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg is very prolific when it comes to rumors and leaks. He also happens to have a very high level of accuracy to his claims in general, which helps make the claim seem more plausible.
More muted than thought
While there have been expectations of an upgraded Apple Vision Pro on the horizon, the latest report’s expectations are slightly down compared to other forecasts.
At the end of June, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that a version sporting the M5 chip would start mass production in Q3 2025 for release soon after.
While the prospect of an upgraded Apple Vision Pro is good, it’s far from what Apple has planned for the hardware’s true follow-up releases. Rumors have forecast a second-generation Apple Vision Pro in 2026 or 2027.
There have also been murmurs of a headset that is lower-specification and cheaper to produce, aimed at consumers.
The next headset, whatever form it takes, has also been rumored to be much lighter. In April, a leaker said the next Apple headset will use titanium to reduce weight, instead of using aluminum.
If true, that change would more likely be used in a Pro edition headset, simply due to the sheer cost of titanium versus aluminum.
There’s also the further afield product of Apple Glass, smart glasses that would cwertainly solve the weight issue. However, you may have to wait until late 2027 before using them.
