Apple Cancels Cheap Vision Pro, Focuses On Lighter AI Smart Glasses

Illustration of smart glasses from Apple (photo: x @techpp)

JAKARTA - Apple is reportedly shifting its development focus from Vision Pro to a lighter AI-based smart glasses project. This move reflects the main problem of Vision Pro, high prices and heavy weight, as well as Apple's urgent need to compete with Meta, whose smart glasses have actually achieved success in the market.

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple has stopped developing the cheap version of Vision Pro (N100 code) and moved most of its teams to accelerate the manufacture of new smart glasses. This product, dubbed Apple Glass, is said to be one of the short-term strategies of the Cupertino company.

Apple's Vision Has Changed

Vision Pro was previously predicted to be Apple's biggest bet in history. However, the device failed to achieve the sales target. On the other hand, the trend of smart glasses actually shows an uphill graph. Meta, for example, was a huge success with Ray-Ban Meta glasses that are now entering the second generation, even coming with a sailing version that offers a more real AR experience.

Seeing this condition, Apple now chooses to place smart glasses as a priority. Two models are being prepared:

Companion Model (N50): The first fully dependent model on the iPhone as the main device. It doesn't have its own screen, but is designed to be an iPhone companion. Apple is targeting an announcement next year and launch around 2027.

Display Model: The second version will be more sophisticated with an integrated screen in the lens, similar to Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses. Originally scheduled for release in 2028, but now its development is accelerated.

Smart glasses are starting to be seen as a potential replacement smartphone. Apart from Apple and Meta, a number of other big players such as Google and Samsung are also preparing similar products.

Meta's success prompted Apple to accelerate its move. Mark Zuckerberg has even called smart glasses an "unexpected hat" that opens up new opportunities in personal computing.

Vision Pro Mahal

Apple's internal sources admit that Vision Pro, although technologically sophisticated, is too heavy and expensive to enter the mass market. Tim Cook himself once doubted the concept of a fully closed headset because it was considered not to be socially accepted by most people.

Therefore, Apple is starting to change Vision Pro's marketing strategy, now more directed to businesses and companies, similar to the paths Microsoft and Google have taken, although with limited results.

This smart glasses project will rely heavily on AI. Apple is said to be integrating the Apple Intelligence platform and rebuilding Siri to make it more capable. The new virtual assistant is scheduled to launch as early as March 2026.

However, Apple still has to prove that their AI system is really ready for a smooth smart glasses experience and can compete with other Meta and competitors.

If successful, these AI smart glasses could be Apple's move to open a new chapter in the history of personal computing devices a large battle arena after the smartphone era.