Apple’s venture into virtual reality (VR) with its Vision Pro headset encountered challenges. Early adopters lauded the device’s technical capabilities but expressed concerns about motion sickness, comfort, and cost, leading to an increase in returns. While not imminent, industry insider Mark Gurman shed light on Apple’s strategic plan: the forthcoming debut of the Apple Vision Pro 2.
Apple Vision Pro 2 is at Least 18 Months Away
Gurman, in his most recent “Power On” newsletter, indicated that Apple’s second-generation VR headset is projected to launch in late August 2025, at least 18 months away. This deviates from Apple’s customary annual upgrade cycle for flagship smartphones, suggesting a meticulous approach to fulfilling its virtual reality objectives.
The prolonged timeline appears to be a deliberate move, as Apple reportedly scrutinizes the factors behind customer dissatisfaction with the Vision Pro. Gurman highlights that Apple is directly gathering feedback from retail stores, signalling a purposeful endeavour to tackle major issues for the upcoming iteration. Enhancements in comfort, weight distribution, and a potential price reduction could stem from this coordinated strategy.
In addition to comfort and pricing concerns, users seek enhanced features from the Vision Pro 2. Speculations abound about potential upgrades, including sharper visuals with higher-resolution screens, an immersive experience with a broader field of view, wireless connectivity for greater freedom, and advanced hand and eye tracking for improved interactions.
Apart from Gurman, market research firm Omdia and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have previously indicated the anticipated arrival of the second-generation Vision Pro headset in 2027. Reports suggest that the Vision Pro may remain unchanged in terms of hardware until that time, translating to a potential 54-month gap between the release of the first and second generations before any significant updates are introduced.
Apple faces intense competition in the VR sector. While rivals like Sony and HTC vie for market dominance, Meta’s Quest series leads the industry. Apple is under pressure in this competitive arena to introduce a compelling Vision Pro 2 that not only addresses early adopters’ concerns but also pushes the boundaries of virtual reality technology. Meanwhile, speculations from Bloomberg and The Information hint at the possibility of Apple unveiling a more affordable Vision headset in 2025.
The protracted wait for the Vision Pro 2 underscores Apple’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the VR landscape. Apple dedicates time to refining its VR offerings and actively solicits user feedback to deliver a refined and user-centric VR experience. The reception from customers remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: anticipation is high in the VR community for Apple’s next advancement.
