June marks two years since Tim Cook stood on stage and unveiled the Vision Pro, Apple\u2019s most ambitious leap into new territory since the Apple Watch. The $3,500 \u201cspatial computer\u201d arrived with breathtaking demos, celebrity endorsements, and the kind of technical wizardry that makes even jaded tech journalists lean forward. But two years later, we\u2019re all asking the same question: what exactly is this thing for?<\/p>\n
The Vision Pro remains a marvel of engineering. Its micro-OLED displays deliver 23 million pixels to each eye. The R1 chip processes input from 12 cameras, six microphones, and multiple sensors with imperceptible latency. The eye and hand tracking feels like actual magic the first time you experience it. And yet, fewer than 500,000 units have sold worldwide, according to industry analysts. For context, Apple sells that many iPhones approximately every 12 hours.<\/p>\n
The core problem with Vision Pro isn\u2019t the technology \u2013 it\u2019s the purpose. Users consistently report an initial \u201cwow\u201d phase that lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month. They explore immersive environments, watch movies on virtual 100-foot screens, and show off spatial photos to impressed friends. Then reality sets in: the headset is heavy at 600+ grams, causes eye strain after extended use, and lacks applications compelling enough to justify regular wear.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s collecting dust\u201d has become the refrain among many early adopters on Reddit and tech forums. Bloomberg\u2019s Mark Gurman reported that internal Apple data shows lower-than-expected engagement even among buyers who kept their devices. The problem extends beyond Apple\u2026 Meta\u2019s Quest Pro faced similar challenges at its $1,000 price point before drastic price cuts.<\/p>\n
The Vision Pro excels at media consumption, offering genuinely impressive virtual screens for movies and shows. But at $3,500, it\u2019s competing with actual 85-inch OLEDs and high-end home theater setups. For productivity, the virtual workspace concept stumbles against the physical reality of typing on keyboards you can\u2019t see and staring through cameras at a lower resolution than your actual eyes.<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s messaging shift around Vision Pro tells a fascinating story of corporate priorities in flux. Two years ago, \u201cspatial computing\u201d dominated every conversation about Apple\u2019s future. The term appeared 37 times in the WWDC 2023 keynote alone. Apple Store displays featured the headset prominently, often with dedicated zones where trained specialists delivered carefully choreographed demos that genuinely wowed first-time users.<\/p>\n
Today, that enthusiasm has noticeably cooled. Vision Pro displays have migrated to less prominent positions in retail stores, sometimes sharing space with accessories rather than commanding their own showcase areas. The company\u2019s press releases and marketing materials have gradually phased out \u201cspatial computing\u201d in favor of \u201cApple Intelligence\u201d \u2013 the AI initiative that dominated last year\u2019s WWDC and has since become the company\u2019s technological North Star. This pivot wasn\u2019t subtle; it was a clear reallocation of Apple\u2019s storytelling resources.<\/p>\n
What makes this shift particularly interesting is how it reflects Apple\u2019s pragmatic approach to product narratives. When something isn\u2019t connecting with consumers as expected, the company doesn\u2019t typically announce failure \u2013 it simply redirects attention elsewhere. The international rollout of Apple Intelligence features has been slower than anticipated, with many regions still waiting for functionality that U.S. users have had for months, yet it remains the company\u2019s primary innovation story. Meanwhile, Vision Pro continues to receive software updates and refinements, but without the revolutionary rhetoric that accompanied its launch. It\u2019s not that Apple has abandoned the product; rather, they\u2019ve recalibrated expectations while they figure out its long-term place in the ecosystem.<\/p>\n
With WWDC 2025 just weeks away, the rumor mill points to visionOS 3 as a significant focus. According to AppleInsider and other sources, transparency will dominate the visual language, with translucent menus, glassy effects, and a continued refinement of the \u201cdigital objects in physical space\u201d metaphor that defines the platform.<\/p>\n
Developers are clamoring for practical improvements: folder support for app organization (currently nonexistent), better multitasking, and more native Apple apps. The current situation, where core apps like Notes and Reminders remain iPad ports rather than a native visionOS experience, feels increasingly untenable as the platform matures.<\/p>\n
Perhaps most intriguing is how Vision Pro\u2019s aesthetic is reportedly influencing Apple\u2019s entire software lineup. iOS 19, macOS 16, and watchOS 12 are all expected to adopt elements of visionOS design, including rounded corners, translucent backgrounds, and subtle lighting effects. This \u201creverse influence\u201d suggests that while Vision Pro may not have conquered the market, its design philosophy has made a lasting impact on Apple\u2019s approach to user interfaces.<\/p>\n
Samsung and Google\u2019s \u201cProject Moohan\u201d headset represents the most credible competitor on the horizon. Announced in December 2024 and expected to launch later this year, it runs Android XR and promises deeper integration with Google\u2019s Gemini AI. Early hands-on reports suggest a lighter form factor than Vision Pro and a price point that, while still premium, should undercut Apple\u2019s offering significantly.<\/p>\n
The Vivo Vision<\/a>, unveiled at the Boao Forum in March, takes the more direct approach of simply copying Vision Pro\u2019s design language while presumably targeting a lower price point for the Chinese market. Its mid-2025 launch will test whether Apple\u2019s fundamental concept can succeed with different economics and regional optimization.<\/p>\n Curiously, Meta appears to have retreated from the high-end market. Reports indicate the company canceled development of a direct Quest Pro successor, with Vision Pro\u2019s tepid sales cited as a cautionary tale. Meta instead continues to focus on the $500 price range with Quest 3, which has sold an estimated 3-4 million units, proving there is a market for XR devices at the right price.<\/p>\n The clearest signal from supply chain analysts and insider reports points to a cheaper Vision device<\/a> in development. Tentatively called \u201cVision Air\u201d or simply \u201cVision\u201d in rumors, this device would target a sub-$2,000 price point, possibly as low as $1,500. To hit this target, Apple would likely use lower-resolution displays, fewer cameras, and potentially sacrifice features like EyeSight (the external screen showing your eyes).<\/p>\n This strategy mirrors Apple\u2019s approach with products like Apple Watch, where the ultra-premium Edition models eventually gave way to a more accessible lineup. The timeline remains unclear, with most sources pointing to late 2026 or even 2027 for release, suggesting that Apple is taking its time to get the formula right.<\/p>\n As for Vision Pro 2<\/a>, credible rumors are scarce. Apple typically updates its flagship products annually or biannually, but the Vision Pro appears to be on a longer cycle. This makes sense given the slower-than-expected sales and the massive R&D investment the first model represented. When it does arrive, expect improved displays, longer battery life, and a lighter form factor \u2013 all addressing the most common complaints about the current hardware.<\/p>\n Two years in, the Vision Pro feels like a product caught between present limitations and future potential. It\u2019s too expensive, too heavy, and lacks compelling applications for most consumers. Yet its technological achievements are undeniable, and the foundation it\u2019s building could pay dividends as components get cheaper, software matures, and form factors improve.<\/p>\n Apple has played the long game before. The original iPhone lacked third-party apps. The first iPad was dismissed as \u201cjust a big iPhone.\u201d The Apple Watch was criticized for being slow and dependent on the iPhone. All eventually found their footing. The difference? Those devices cost between $349 and $999 at launch, not $3,500.<\/p>\n For Vision Pro to follow a similar trajectory, Apple needs three things: a more accessible price point, lighter hardware, and that elusive killer app. WWDC 2025 will likely deliver software improvements, but the hardware evolution and ecosystem development may require more patience. Until then, the Vision Pro remains what it\u2019s been since launch: a stunning technical achievement still searching for its reason to exist.<\/p>\n The post The Vision Pro Turns 2 Next Month\u2026 What\u2019s Next For Apple?<\/a> first appeared on Yanko Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" June marks two years since Tim Cook stood on stage and unveiled the Vision Pro, Apple\u2019s most ambitious leap into new territory since the Apple Watch. The $3,500 \u201cspatial computer\u201d arrived with breathtaking demos, celebrity … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Comes Next: Vision Air, Vision Pro 2, or Something Else?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
The Long Game: Apple\u2019s Spatial Computing Bet<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n