Apple isn’t standing still in spatial computing. According to reliable analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo and industry reports, the tech giant is gearing up for a series of XR (extended reality) devices over the next few years.
1. Vision Pro (Second‑Gen, M5 Chip) – Late 2025
- What’s new? Apple plans to upgrade its Vision Pro headset with the powerful M5 chip, replacing the current M2. This upgrade aims to enable on-device “Apple Intelligence” AI features and improved performance.
- Timeline: Production is expected to begin in Q3/Q4 2025, with a launch by year-end.
- Why it matters: Vision Pro 2 keeps the same design, similar pricing (~$3,499), but adds faster processing and better AI, positioning itself for more mainstream appeal.
2. Vision Air – Q3 2027
- What’s new? The Vision Air is expected to be a sleeker, 40% lighter, and more affordable headset utilizing an iPhone‑class chip (likely A-series), with simplified materials to cut costs.
- Target audience: Aimed at broader consumers—akin to how Apple Watch Air differed from Watch Pro—Vision Air lowers the barrier to entry.
3. Ray-Ban–Style Smart Glasses – Mid‑2027
- What’s new? Apple’s venture into lightweight “smart glasses” (no display) is set for mid‑2027. These would include voice and gesture control, cameras, and basic AI—positioned to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
- Business angle: With projected shipments of 3–5 million units, these glasses mark Apple’s first mass-market foray into wearable optics.
4. XR Glasses with Built-in Displays – H2 2028
- What’s new? Apple plans to launch full XR glasses featuring waveguide optics and LCoS microdisplays, which enable mixed-reality experiences. These glasses will support voice/gesture input and AI, effectively miniaturizing Vision Pro into glasses form.
- Vision Pro 2 Redesign? This 2028 release may coincide with a refreshed Vision Pro design or Vision Pro 3.
📊 Timeline Summary
| Year | Product | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Late 2025 | Vision Pro (M5) | Same design, new chip, AI-ready |
| Late 2027 | Vision Air | Lightweight, affordable, mass-market |
| Mid 2027 | Smart Glasses (Ray-Ban style) | Basic AR-free optics, voice/gesture |
| Late 2028 | XR Glasses with Display + Vision Pro 3 | Compact MR glasses & headset redesign |
🔍 Context & Strategy
- Vision Pro 2 prioritizes internal upgrades over major design changes—likely a cost-effective way to refine the platform.
- Vision Air fills the mid-range niche, much like laptops vs. iPad Pro: lighter, cheaper, but still capable.
- Apple’s move into smart glass fashion products signals early steps toward AR ubiquity.
- By 2028, Apple’s XR ecosystem matures: full MR glasses and revamped headsets targeting both casual users and spatial computing pros.
🌐 Why It Matters
- Apple is staging its XR expansion strategically: from premium to mass-market and finally to ultra-portable.
- By 2028, Apple aims to rival Meta, Google, and Samsung—not just in hardware but in AI-driven experiences and ecosystem integration.
- Expect VisionOS to evolve alongside, powered by Apple Intelligence features across these devices.
