Apple’s next Vision Pro could look more like Meta VR Glasses. That is the takeaway from a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who says Apple is exploring a redesigned headset that moves its computer components out of the headset and into an external puck — just like Meta’s VR Glasses.
Apple’s N224 project is reportedly on life support. A number of senior executives are pushing back against it, and it is unlikely to ship before late 2028, if it ships at all. The company’s current focus has shifted to simpler smart glasses that lack displays.
The Weight Problem
When the Vision Pro arrived in February 2024, it drew considerable notice for its displays and its eye-and-hand controls. Weight, price, and a lack of clear reasons to actually wear it — beyond watching videos — were among the complaints. It served as a striking proof of concept, much like Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold, though more a showcase for enthusiasts than a device for everyday people.
This device began at $3,499, and it can reach around 800 grams, depending on the headband. Meta’s VR Glasses, by contrast, weigh about 100 grams and are priced at $1,299, due in spring 2027. That is roughly a fifth of Meta’ owns its own Quest 3, along with a small portion of the Vision Pro.
How Meta Solved the Problem
Instead of keeping the processor and battery on your face, Meta chose to place them elsewhere. The hardware lives in a separate module that attaches to your clothing and links back to the glasses through a cable. Gurman says the module matches the size and weight of the Vision Pro’s external battery pack.
According to Gurman, Apple spotted the trouble ahead during development. The company weighed putting processing into a separate home device early on, but the team turned it down. Since the product came out, Apple has set aside at least three projects aimed at correcting the Vision Pro’s most serious shortcomings.
- N107: a headset that would have offloaded computing to a Mac or another device.
- N100: a “Vision Air” that would have moved more components into an external pack.
- N109: a lighter, cheaper model with a less powerful chip.
Internal Pushback
Senior Apple executives think a separate puck results in a weak experience and favor an all-in-one setup instead. Gurman reports that new CEO John Ternus has long been privately doubtful of a headset this heavy and costly, even though he has spoken positively about it in public.
Apple has shifted the Vision hardware team down in its corporate hierarchy, with its previous leader departing to join OpenAI, while the group itself has recently undergone reductions in staffing.
| Headset | Price | Weight | Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision Pro | $3,499 | Up to 800 grams | Feb 2024 |
| Meta VR Glasses | $1,299 | ~100 grams | Spring 2027 |
The two headsets weigh quite differently. The Vision Pro weighs $3,499, up to 800 grams. The Meta VR Glasses weigh $1,299, ~100 grams. The Meta VR Glasses are set to ship in spring 2027. The N224, by contrast, is unlikely to ship before late 2028.
The Design Question
Apple explored a puck-based design but ultimately rejected it early in development. The company’s current approach — moving components into an external pack — is a variation on the same theme. Whether the puck design survives depends on whether Apple’s executives can overcome internal doubts about the approach.
A new headset from Apple would not reach the market until late 2028 or early 2029, should the company stick to N224. That wait would be lengthy, and there is no certainty about how it will end.
What matters most is weight. Meta prioritized comfort and price over premium quality, and that approach wins over consumers every time. Apple’s own early designs attempted to balance power with comfort, though the source does not reveal whether Apple ultimately found the math too difficult.
Apple has moved on to simpler smart glasses that lack displays for the moment. The Vision Pro team has shrunk in size, and the people running it have grown doubtful about the project. The puck design that Apple once explored now sits in doubt, with no clear path forward.
Source material: “Apples next Vision Pro could look more like Meta VR Glasses,” Mashable.
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