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Gurman: Low-Cost Vision Pro Model to Drop EyeSight and M-Series Chip

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Apple's upcoming low-cost variant of the Vision Pro headset will lose out on features including EyeSight and an M-series chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

vision pro headset 1
Both The Information and Bloomberg have previously claimed that Apple is working on a more affordable version of the Apple Vision Pro headset. The initial version set to launch early next year will be priced at $3,500, placing it out of reach of many Apple customers.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple has planned to launch a cheaper mixed-reality headset since before the announcement of Vision Pro and is now actively funneling resources toward the lower-end device. The company has apparently shifted staff away from developing a standalone AR glasses product toward the lower-cost headset. Apple has purportedly discussed pricing it at around $1,500 to $2,500.

Gurman previously mentioned that Apple plans to bring down the price of the headset using lower resolution displays and a chip designed for the iPhone, rather than the Mac. Now, he also believes that Apple is likely to remove EyeSight, Vision Pro's external display that shows the wearer's eyes, as well as reduce the number of cameras and sensors on the device.

Gurman also reiterated his report from last week that Apple is continuing work on the second-generation of the fully fledged Vision Pro headset, featuring a slightly smaller and lighter design to make it more comfortable to wear. Apple is also exploring integrating prescription lenses directly into the device to simplify its design.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Top Rated Comments

Le0M Avatar
Le0M
32 months ago
What sets the VP and other headsets apart is its quality. I seriously doubt they're going to lower screens' res and computing power.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
W
wikiverse
32 months ago

What’s going to be the point of this device if it’s just a slightly nicer Oculus? The extra features are what makes it unique. If they can’t do that at a price point that’s currently feasible that just means they’ve released it a few years too early. Releasing a hamstrung product is pointless.
This is a $3500 computer monitor for ONE person that requires a tethered battery with less than 2 hours of charge, and still requires at least a Macbook to use in any meaningful way.

A 'Slightly nicer Oculus' at $1500 still doesn't fix the fundamental problem of this thing being a solution in search of a problem. Just like the touchbar, there is no real use case and Apple are really hoping that developers will figure out what to do with this thing.

If this is a VR headset that blocks out all light and is tethered to anything, then it needs to compete in the gaming space - which means controller support. If it's an AR headset, it needs to be portable and be comparable to a pair of chunky sunglasses in size and weight (possibly paired to your phone which does a lot of the processing). It currently achieves neither while looking dorky and/or creepy AF.

It's a screen that only one person can use, and it's going to be an extremely niche product - most likely for people that buy it simply because they are tech enthusiasts, but it will mostly sit on a desk and not get used.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
koil
32 months ago
Getting rid of the external display I understand, but downgrading the chip substantially would be hell for the already small bunch of developers who will be making apps for this thing. Doubt it very much personally, but I guess we'll see.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rosuna Avatar
rosuna
32 months ago

What’s going to be the point of this device if it’s just a slightly nicer Oculus? The extra features are what makes it unique. If they can’t do that at a price point that’s currently feasible that just means they’ve released it a few years too early. Releasing a hamstrung product is pointless.
The Apple Vision Max Pro:

Attachment Image
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spaceboi Scaphandre Avatar
Spaceboi Scaphandre
32 months ago
Called it. Knew the external eye display would be the first thing cut for the consumer model. It’s such a pointless addition that does nothing but complicate the manufacturing process and turns people off from the HMD for how creepy it looks.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
Motawa
32 months ago

What’s going to be the point of this device if it’s just a slightly nicer Oculus? The extra features are what makes it unique. If they can’t do that at a price point that’s currently feasible that just means they’ve released it a few years too early. Releasing a hamstrung product is pointless.
its simply because Tim Apple wanted to release one more "big thing" before he retires.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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