- The leak shows rare parts from an all-black Vision Pro prototype, giving the first real look at Apple’s unreleased darker design.
- The darker components line up with earlier reports about a lighter Vision Air model that Apple was testing with new materials and a Midnight finish.
- A redesigned 8 pin power connector in the leak hints that Apple was working on a new battery system before shifting its focus to smart glasses.
A newly surfaced image has sparked fresh discussion about Apple’s mixed-reality roadmap, revealing hardware parts that appear to come from an all-black Vision Pro prototype. The photo, shared by well-known hardware collector and leaker Kosutami, shows components Apple has never publicly demonstrated, raising questions about previously rumored prototypes and experimental designs.
A rare look at an all-black Vision Pro prototype
The Vision Pro that Apple sells today is easy to recognize with its silver frame and white fabric. That’s why this new leak immediately stood out. The image focuses on the left power strap and an audio pod connected by a cable, and while the design closely matches the current Vision Pro, the color does not.
These parts are coated in a deep, matte black — a finish Apple has never used on the headset. Kosutami, who frequently posts early Apple hardware pieces, shared the photo on X (formerly Twitter).
While the authenticity of prototype parts is always difficult to verify, Kosutami has a track record of sharing early, genuine Apple hardware components, which is why the leak is attracting significant attention among Apple fans.
Fits earlier rumors about a ‘Vision Air’ headset
Before this leak there had been rumors about a product called Vision Air. It was described as a lighter and thinner version of the Vision Pro. Besides that, there were rumors that Apple was experimenting with titanium for some parts like the battery enclosure so that the whole thing would be less heavy.
The shell was also rumored to be in a Midnight color which is a very dark blue mixed with black. These black parts that are leaked kind of fit in with that concept. Therefore, this new photo might be the strongest evidence that Apple actually made real components for Vision Air instead of just sketches.
A previous leak showed a different connector
This isn’t the only piece of Vision hardware that has leaked. Earlier, an image revealed an 8-pin connector that was reportedly being tested. For comparison, the current Vision Pro uses a 12-pin connector.
If genuine, this change could point to Apple experimenting with a simpler battery system. A smaller connector would reduce complexity, cut weight, and possibly improve durability, all of which would make sense for a lighter, more portable headset.
Apple’s Vision plans may be on hold
Despite these hardware discoveries, the future of Apple’s headset lineup remains unclear. According to Bloomberg, Apple has paused development of new Vision models and is now focusing more heavily on AI-powered smart glasses. That means prototypes like the all-black Vision Pro and the rumored Vision Air could remain shelved for a while.
Still, the leaked components show that Apple had been exploring a cleaner, smaller, and darker design direction not visible in the current product.
