Apple is testing four designs for its next Vision Pro

Apple is working on a redesigned Vision Pro headset codenamed N224 and is considering roughly four different approaches to its design, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

One option takes a page from Meta’s new VR Glasses by moving some components, including computing hardware and the battery, off the user’s head and into a separate external module. Some Apple executives reportedly consider that approach cumbersome, however, and favor a self-contained design closer to the current Vision Pro.

Apple is also experimenting with different materials in an effort to reduce the headset’s weight. Gurman says the company has considered plastic, titanium and other metals, while at least one prototype retains the distinctive shape of the current Vision Pro.

The bigger question is whether N224 will ever become a commercial product. Gurman’s sources describe the project as being on “life support” as Apple rethinks its direction, with no guarantee that the headset will ultimately ship. If it does reach the market, Gurman expects a launch no earlier than late 2028 or early 2029.

Apple is currently placing more emphasis on smart glasses without a display. Within the company, the existing Vision Pro is increasingly viewed as a stepping stone toward other types of wearable devices.

Meta’s new VR Glasses have also influenced Apple’s thinking. Unveiled in September, Meta’s headset weighs about 100 grams by moving its computing hardware and battery into a separate module. It will cost $1,299, compared with $3,499 for Apple’s current M5-powered Vision Pro.