The Report indicates which features could be eliminated to make Apple’s 2nd Gen Headset more affordable
Apple Vision Pro has been officially released one week ago. While the features of this headset are impressive and the headset is described as “magical” by the testers, the price has knocked people down. The $3499 price tag is clearly not aimed at everyday consumers, and it won’t sell very well – The rumors are suggesting figures as low as 100,000 units. However, remember to approach these numbers with a grain of salt.
Apple is clearly aware that Vision Pro will not achieve significant sales, leading them to already focus on the development of the next-generation headset. According to renowned Apple analyst Mark Gurman, Apple’s 2nd Gen Headset will be named the Apple Vision One.
In his report, Gurman discusses potential cost-cutting measures that Apple might employ in their next Spatial Computer to make it more affordable for a broader audience. The three most costly components of the headset include a camera and sensor array comprising 12 cameras and 5 sensors, a dual processor unit featuring the M2 and R1 processors, and two micro-OLED displays with a resolution of 4k x 4k each.
Apple Vision One – What Features Will be Removed?
The reported Bill of Materials (BOM) for Vision Pro suggests costs of around $1500, indicating that the retail price is more than double due to factors such as high Research and Development expenses, marketing, and other associated costs. The actual profit margin on Vision Pro might be lower than expected, or it could even be sold at cost.
Based on these details, it is reasonable to expect reduced Research and Development costs for Apple’s 2nd Gen Headset, as well as a significantly lower BOM. How will Apple achieve this? Mark Gurman suggests using lower-quality screens, employing an older Mac or iPhone-like chip, and reducing the number of cameras. EyeSight will likely remain, as it aligns with Apple’s core vision to remove isolation problems from Spatial Computing.
Apple may further reduce costs by utilizing more affordable materials, such as opting for non-aluminum and non-glass components. Additionally, they could exclude features like spatial audio, a 3D camera, and an automatic IPD system, potentially replacing it with a physical IPD slider like the one expected on Meta Quest 3. Gurman speculates that removing these features could result in a price reduction of several hundred dollars for the Apple Vision One.
Apple Vision One Release Date
We can anticipate the release of the Apple Vision One by the end of 2025. Leaks suggest that Apple will unveil two headsets this year, with the lower-end model being the Apple Vision One and the higher-end model being a successor to the Vision Pro, as reported by Gurman. The Vision Pro 2 is expected to feature, among others, a significantly faster processor, providing improved performance.
