The Vision Pro made its splash, earned its headlines, and — for most people — quietly drifted into the “cool, but not $3,500 cool” category. Now, Apple appears to be rethinking its approach to spatial computing, with not one but two new headsets reportedly in the works: a lighter, cheaper version of the Vision Pro and a more powerful model that tethers to a Mac via USB-C.
If that feels like a pivot, that’s because it is. After positioning the Vision Pro as a self-contained, all-in-one leap into the post-screen future, Apple seems to be hedging. One model trims features to chase a wider audience. The other leans into performance, even if that means bringing back a cable.
The company hasn’t confirmed anything (because of course it hasn’t), but the message is clear: Apple’s spatial road map now forks in two, and both paths lead away from the Vision Pro we know.
What we know: Two new headsets are in development
Multiple reports — originally sparked by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and later expanded by sites like 9to5Mac, TechCrunch, and UploadVR — lay out a dual-track effort inside Apple’s headset division. Internally, these aren’t simple tweaks. They appear to represent two distinct product classes:
1. A cheaper, lighter Vision Pro
Codenamed “N109,” this device reportedly targets a 2025 release and aims to cut both cost and weight, two of the biggest pain points with the current Vision Pro. The goal is to bring the headset closer to something the average Apple customer might actually consider buying — think somewhere between $1,500 and $2,000.
But getting there likely means trade-offs. Reports suggest this model may include fewer sensors, a simplified headband, and possibly downgraded displays. It’s unclear if this device would still carry the Vision Pro name or be marketed more like an entry-level alternative. Either way, it signals a shift from “premium-first” to “volume-maybe.”
2. A Mac-tethered Apple Vision Pro
Then, there’s the other rumored model — a more powerful headset that connects to a Mac via a USB-C cable. This one feels less like a mass-market play and more like a pro tool for developers, designers, or video editors who already live in Final Cut and Logic. By offloading processing to the Mac, Apple could solve major hurdles like battery life, weight, and thermal limits — without sacrificing horsepower.
Of course, the catch is obvious: the cable. Apple’s been allergic to tethers in its recent hardware strategy, making this rumored model a notable break from form. But it might be a compromise worth making if it delivers a more seamless spatial desktop experience or opens up pro-grade workflows in 3D.
But what about Windows users? That’s a big hole to leave in the market for someone else to scoop up.
Why it matters: Price, power, and platform
The original Vision Pro did exactly what Apple wanted: It redefined the high-end of XR, flexed the company’s engineering muscle, and made “spatial computing” a household term — at least among tech press and early adopters. But for all its ambition, the $3,499 price tag made it more demo than device for most consumers.
That’s why a cheaper, lighter model matters. It’s not just about shaving weight or dropping the price a few hundred bucks. Apple needs a headset that people can imagine actually owning — something closer to an iPad or MacBook purchase — not a down payment on a used car. If the rumored cost target of ~$1,500 holds, it opens the door to schools, developers, design teams, and even regular buyers curious about VisionOS.
The catch? That price doesn’t come free. If Apple starts stripping sensors, removing EyeSight, or downgrading displays, the experience risks feeling less like “the future of computing” and more like “a very expensive VR headset with some Apple polish.” The whole point of the Vision Pro was that it wasn’t like the others.
As for the Mac-tethered version — this one could quietly become Apple’s most strategic play. By letting the headset lean on a Mac for power, Apple could dodge the fundamental limitations of mobile hardware: tiny batteries, overheating, and thermal throttling. A tethered mode also hints at a real productivity layer for VisionOS — something beyond floating Safari windows and immersive videos.
It’s not exactly sexy. But for creative pros? It might be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
Strategic angle: Is Apple following Meta — or setting its own trap?
Apple’s headset ambitions have always stood apart. While Meta flooded the market with multiple Quest models (each cheaper and more accessible than the last), Apple went the other way — one ultra-premium device aimed squarely at the top-end of the market and pitched as the beginning of a new computing era.
But that strategy only works if the high-end leads somewhere. Right now, it doesn’t. Developers are still figuring out what a “spatial app” really is. Use cases are limited. And despite some stunning tech, most people still see the Apple Vision Pro as a luxury media player with FaceTime.
So here comes the pivot. If these two new models pan out, Apple will suddenly start to look … a little more like Meta. A lineup. A spread. A range of price points and use cases.
The key difference? Apple’s still betting on ecosystem lock-in, not just adoption. A cheaper headset could pull iPhone and iPad users into VisionOS. A Mac-tethered device might tie spatial computing directly into existing creative workflows. It’s less about unit sales and more about keeping users inside Apple’s walled garden — now with depth sensors and spatial audio.
But here’s the risk: Apple could dilute its own message by fragmenting the Vision line this early. Instead of a single, futuristic device, consumers might see a bunch of headsets with unclear differences — and unclear purpose. That’s the trap Meta fell into with the Quest Pro. Apple may be walking toward the same cliff, just wearing nicer shoes.
Final thought: Apple’s next move is already in motion
Apple hasn’t confirmed anything, of course. It rarely does until a product is weeks from launch. But the timing of these leaks — and the consistency across UploadVR, TechCrunch, and 9to5Mac — suggests something real is happening behind the curtain.
The Apple Vision Pro rollout has been unusually quiet since launch. The app ecosystem is still thin. Developer energy has waned. And while the headset delivers impressive immersion, it hasn’t delivered a killer use case beyond “watch movies on a really nice screen.”
So, these new headsets? They’re not just new form factors. They’re Apple testing its theory of spatial computing all over again — this time with more options, more price points, and maybe even a little humility.
Whether that’s a course correction or preplanned phase two doesn’t really matter. Either way, Apple is now racing to figure out what this new category actually is — before the rest of us lose interest.
Cover image by Apple; infographic by Next Reality.