Apple is planning a significant update for visionOS 3 this year, although there will not be a new Vision Pro model released in 2025. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that while Apple is working on a second-generation Vision Pro with a new M-series chip and more affordable headset options, these developments will not be available in 2025.
Apple’s visionOS 3 update promises major features
Despite the current Vision Pro headset utilizing the outdated M2 chip from 2022, Apple’s software initiatives are promising. Last month, Apple released the visionOS 2.4 beta, which introduced Apple Intelligence to the headset and included a new Vision Pro app for iPhone. The app will officially launch alongside the Spatial Gallery in April.
Gurman indicates that visionOS 3 will be a substantial update, although details remain sparse. The Vision Products Group at Apple appears to be reallocating resources to explore various form factors for augmented reality devices, acknowledging the commercial underperformance of the Vision Pro. The focus is on enhancing visionOS rather than continuing to invest exclusively in hardware.
Apple previously considered developing augmented reality glasses that could function as an external display for Macs, but that project has been shelved. The company’s current efforts are concentrated on creating standalone AR glasses that incorporate advanced AI technology for daily use. Expected timelines suggest it may take another three to five years to achieve viable products.
How next AirPods could control Vision Pro with a wave of your hand
In addition to standalone glasses, Apple is contemplating a project to develop AI-enabled glasses similar to those produced by Meta Platforms, Inc., which would integrate cameras and microphones. If successful, these glasses could provide seamless integration with the iPhone while delivering high-quality audio similar to AirPods.
Apple is also pursuing a product that combines AirPods with cameras to enhance AI features by collecting environmental data. This innovation is contingent upon the company’s ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence.
Apple has introduced a Vision Pro app and new AI features in the iOS 18.4 beta. Among the highlights of the beta is an updated Vision Pro guest mode that can be set up via iPhone without the need to use the headset directly. The current beta also includes the new Spatial Gallery app.
Vision Pro is not set for a new hardware iteration in 2025, Apple is focused on delivering robust software updates through visionOS, with the upcoming release of visionOS 3 promising to be a feature-rich enhancement for users.
Featured image credit: Apple
