Cheaper Apple Vision Pro could debut alongside iPhone 17

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Apple’s Vision Pro headset, although incredibly advanced, didn’t perform as well as the company had hoped. One big reason was its steep $3,500 price tag, which may put off many buyers. 

Another issue was that Apple hadn’t built a full ecosystem of apps and software around it yet, making it feel less essential.

Still, Apple isn’t giving up, as they’re working on a cheaper version of the Vision Pro. According to a new report from Bloomberg, it could launch as early as later this year, possibly around the same time the iPhone 17 is announced. (Via: Digital Trends)

This is earlier than what many experts had predicted, showing that Apple might be speeding things up because of growing competition in the market.

One big question remains: Will this new, cheaper headset replace the Vision Pro, or will Apple sell both models side by side? 

It’s unclear for now because Apple is also reportedly working on a second-generation Vision Pro, which will connect to a Mac for better performance without the issues of battery life or lag.

The cheaper headset is rumored to be lighter and slimmer, possibly weighing less than a pound. 

It might also use Apple’s upcoming M5 chip, which is expected to power new Mac computers and iPads launching later this year. 

To keep the price down, likely between $1,500 and $2,500, Apple may use a lower-quality display and make other small hardware compromises.

While slimming down the headset is important, Apple also needs to solve the comfort issues. 

Many people found the original Vision Pro heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods. If Apple can fix that, the new version could be much more appealing.

The headset will also reportedly equip a lower-resolution display unit than the current Vision Pro. 

We expect to learn more about Apple’s upcoming affordable XR headset in the coming days.

What do you think about the idea of a cheaper Vision Pro? Would you buy one? Tell us below in the comments, or via the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.