Apple Pursues New Vision Pro Design as Competition With Meta Intensifies

Days after Meta unveiled VR glasses with AI-powered capabilities at the Connect 2026 event,  Apple is reportedly building a new Vision Pro design. The project is still in the early stages, with new devices expected to reach consumers in late 2028 or early 2029. 

What Changes is Apple Bringing to the New Vision Pro Headset? 

Apple is reportedly exploring various design concepts to make Vision Pro lighter. Like Meta, the tech giant is considering a design that moves the computing components and battery into an external puck-like device. 

Apple is also testing the use of plastic, titanium, and other metals to make Vision Pro lighter. 

The iPhone maker introduced Vision Pro in 2024 with a $4,000 price tag. However, Apple faced backlash from customers over its portability. Sales have remained sluggish for years, with some retail stores reporting a few units sold every month. 

Internally, the company started developing prototypes of lighter and cheaper versions. However, Apple has shelved multiple projects over the last two years. With John Ternus taking over as CEO,  the company is signaling optimism about the product’s viability after making changes to the Vision hardware team. 

Apple is Working on Project N224 

A Bloomberg report says Apple has already started project N224 to upgrade the Vision Pro lineup. By offloading internal components to an external device, the new device could reportedly weigh one-sixth as much as the Vision Pro. Apple’s Vision Pro successor might also cost a third of its predecessor’s price.  

Project N224 comes after Apple shelved multiple projects. Two years ago, the tech giant dropped project N107, which was expected to make the headset lighter by offloading computing to a Mac or another device. 

A year ago, the company dropped the Vision Air N100 project, which would have shifted additional components to an external device. Apple also cancelled project N109, with the goal of developing a cheaper, lighter Vision Pro using a less powerful chip.  

Why a New Vision Pro Design Matters for Apple

A redesigned Vision Pro could help Apple address some of the biggest obstacles facing its spatial computing ambitions. Reducing the headset’s weight and price could make it more comfortable and accessible, potentially expanding its appeal beyond early adopters and developers. 

The move could also help Apple respond to growing competition from Meta and other companies developing lighter, more affordable smart glasses and mixed-reality devices. If Project N224 succeeds, it could give Apple a stronger foundation for turning Vision Pro from a niche product into a more mainstream computing platform. 

But the company will only launch the revamped Vision Pro device in 2028 or early 2029.  To stay competitive, Apple must balance lower cost and weight with performance and premium experience.