Apple Reportedly Developing A Budget-Friendly Version of its Vision Pro Headset

Highlights

• Apple is believed to be developing a cheaper version of its high-end Apple Vision Pro headset.
• The new model is expected to be priced between $1,500 and $2,500.
• Key features like EyeSight and multiple sensors may be omitted for cost-efficiency.
• The project has reprioritized resources, shifting focus from advanced AR glasses to this budget-friendly alternative.

Apple, known for setting premium standards in the tech world, is reportedly strategising to make its spatial computing more accessible.

The company is currently developing a more budget-friendly variant of its existing Apple Vision Pro headset, as per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

A Strategic Price Cut

The new headset is speculated to be priced between $1,500 to $2,500, a significant drop from the Vision Pro’s hefty $3,499 price tag.

Lowering the rather astronomical price to a more accessible one, is aimed to broaden Apple’s consumer base, offering a more affordable entry into spatial computing technology.

Understandably, to get to this lower price, Apple is very likely going to remove some key features found in the flagship Vision Pro.

One notable omission is likely going to be EyeSight, a feature, which some users found hilarious and creepy at the same time, that renders the user’s eyes on the headset’s curved OLED external panel.

This visual element enhances user interaction when not immersed in content but is likely to be scrapped to keep costs down.

Streamlined Sensory Capabilities

Apple may also curtail some of its elaborate sensory setups to make the budget-friendly model more financially viable.

While the Vision Pro boasts 14 cameras, a LiDAR scanner, IR sensors, and LED illuminators for a deeply immersive experience, the lower-end model could see a cutback in these external cameras and sensors.

Interestingly, Apple seems to be pivoting its resources for this endeavour.

Employees initially focused on developing even more advanced AR glasses are now being redirected to work on this budget-friendly headset.

A Chip off the Old Block

Gurman also suggests that Apple might opt for an iPhone-grade chip for the cheaper headset.

The Vision Pro runs on a powerful chip that matches the Apple Silicon chipsets in the company’s Mac computers.

That is not to say that the current smartphone SoCs made by Apple are slouches by any field of the imagination.

However, their processing needs will be more optimised to this new stripped down Vision Pro’s capabilities.

FAQs

What is the projected price of the new Apple headset?

The new Apple headset is speculated to be priced between $1,500 to $2,500, significantly lower than the Vision Pro’s $3,499.

Will the cheaper model have the same features as the Vision Pro?

No, the cheaper model will likely lack some key features like EyeSight and may have fewer sensors to keep costs down.

What changes in the chipset can we expect?

Apple may use an iPhone-grade chip in the cheaper model, unlike the Vision Pro which uses a powerful Apple Silicon chipset.

Why is Apple shifting its focus from AR glasses?

The company is reallocating resources to create a more affordable spatial computing headset, thus broadening its consumer base.

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