New claims about Apple’s mixed reality headset Vision Pro have raised questions about the company’s long-term plans in this product category. Some images leaked to the internet show that Apple may be working on a black Vision Pro model. However, it is not yet clear whether the device in question is a final product or a prototype shelved during the development process.
Leaked images indicate that Vision Pro, which has only been offered for sale in a light color design to date, is being evaluated with a different color option. It is known that Apple tests various design and color alternatives during its product development processes. For this reason, it does not seem possible for now to reach a definitive conclusion as to whether the resulting images belong to a model that will be available in the future.
However, a more remarkable claim about the future of Vision Pro came from Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his Apple supply chain analysis. Kuo updated the Apple augmented reality and smart glasses roadmap he published last year. The updated table does not include any model that is a direct successor to the Vision Pro.
Apple may shift its focus to smart glasses
According to Kuo, Apple may have canceled its plans for the continuation of the Vision Pro series. According to the information provided by the analyst, the company prefers to direct its resources to smart glasses projects. It is claimed that John Ternus, who is expected to be the future CEO of Apple and currently serves as senior vice president of hardware engineering, is behind this change.
Allegedly, Ternus thinks smart glasses have the potential to reach a wider user base. Considering the high price and limited user base of the Vision Pro, it can be considered a logical choice for Apple to bring more accessible products to the fore. Vision Pro was offered for sale in the USA with a starting price of $ 3,499, and this was one of the biggest obstacles to the widespread use of the device.
It is stated that the first smart glasses model in Kuo’s updated road map will not include a screen. This product is expected to be introduced in 2027 and will rival the smart glasses developed in collaboration with Meta and Ray-Ban. Meta’s commercial success in this category in recent years has directed the attention of technology companies more towards the smart glasses segment.
On the other hand, Apple’s second generation smart glasses project, which will offer more advanced features, is also on the agenda. It is stated that there has been a delay in the development schedule of this model, which is expected to have optical waveguide technology. It is stated that the product, which was previously expected to arrive at an earlier date, has now been postponed to 2029.
No official statement has been made by Apple regarding the issue. For this reason, both black Vision Pro images and claims about the future of the Vision Pro family continue to remain at the rumor level for now. However, recent information indicates that the company may focus on smart glasses solutions that are more suitable for daily use scenarios rather than mixed reality headsets. As Apple’s product plans in this field become clearer in the coming years, Vision Pro’s position within the company will become more evident.