Recent reports suggest that Apple is currently in the production phase of the Apple Vision Pro 2, with a potential release scheduled for later this year.
According to GSMArena, the company appears to be moving quickly to address the challenges faced by the first-generation Vision Pro mixed reality glasses, which did not meet commercial expectations. The anticipated upgrade, referred to as Vision Pro 2, may be a minor enhancement rather than a complete overhaul, with a launch timeline possibly set for the end of 2025.
Sources within Apple’s supply chain indicate that several essential components for the Vision Pro 2, including display panels, casings, and circuit boards, have entered mass production at Apple’s partner facilities. Some suppliers are reportedly accelerating their delivery schedules to meet Apple’s requirements, reflecting the urgency behind this new iteration.
This urgency seems to stem from Apple’s decision to significantly reduce production of the original Vision Pro, with plans to cease manufacturing entirely by the end of 2024. This approach appears designed to ensure sufficient inventory remains available for consumers until the new version is ready for market, while also creating a pathway for the upgrade.
However, expectations for a groundbreaking redesign should be tempered. Reports indicate that Apple has paused plans for a version of Vision Pro featuring substantial improvements, suggesting that the forthcoming model will primarily deliver a series of incremental upgrades.
A key feature of the Vision Pro 2 is expected to be the introduction of the new M5 chip, which promises performance enhancements. Additionally, early rumors have indicated that the physical design of the device will remain largely unchanged compared to its predecessor.
Apple’s strategy to expedite the release of a minor upgrade centered around a significant chip improvement suggests an effort to revitalize the product and rectify the shortcomings observed in the first generation, while a more extensive redesign may still be in development. The question remains whether the M5 chip alone will sufficiently elevate Apple’s position in the mixed reality headset arena; answers are anticipated later this year.
