Apple has suspended work on the second-generation Vision Pro spatial computing headset to focus resources on developing a cheaper model, The Information reports.
Apple is launching the Vision Pro in Europe and the UK on July12 with pre-orders open Next Friday (June 18)
The Information reports that an Apple indicated the company plans to divide its Vision product line into a “Pro” model and one lower-cost standard model. The company is said to have been winding down the next Vision Pro headset to move to a less expensive variant.
The Information report says least one of Apple/s suppliers that it has suspended work on the next-generation of its Vision Pro headset but continuing a more affordable “Vision” with fewer features.to be sold at around the same price as a £1,200 high-end iPhone,
Apple’s challenge to is to reduce the cost byu more than half without removing too many features.
Apple apparently wants to retain the Vision Pro’s high-end display components in the low-cost model, which are among the most expensive components in the device.
MacRumors previously reported that the cheaper model will feature the same high-end displays as the Vision Pro, but with fewer cameras, a simpler headband, and smaller speakers. Apple also wants to make its cheaper headset at least one-third lighter than the Vision Pro.
MacRumors writes that a supplier that makes key components for the Vision Pro apparently cut production by 50 per cent in May after receiving a forecast from Apple that predicted weaker demand than expected. Information from this supplier suggests that Apple has produced no more than 500,000 Vision Pro units this year, with no plans to make significantly more than this through August.
