Apple Vision Pro could soon have a whole new look

When Apple eventually updates Apple Vision Pro, there may be one major visual tell that signals “new” in a way that a chip upgrade just can’t.

Apple Vision Pro is ripe for updating

Apple unveiled Apple Vision Pro in June 2023 and released it in February 2024. As we approach the tail end of 2025, expectations are growing around a revised Apple Vision Pro.

Ideally, Apple Vision Pro 2 would be an upgrade on the same scale as the original iPad to iPad 2. That was both an internal upgrade as well as a dramatic external shift forward.

Instead, it seems like the second-generation Apple Vision Pro will follow the Apple Watch Ultra-to-Ultra 2 path, at least in terms of design.

Still, that’s more than we’ve expected until now.

The biggest change to the next Apple Vision Pro is the chip upgrade. Apple is expected to replace the M2 with an M4 or soon-to-be-announced M5 chip. Apple Vision Pro was revealed when M2 was the newest chip, but it shipped after the M3 was already in other products.

AVP 2 could have a striking new look

Visual change rumors have focused on replacing the two included head straps with a single strap that’s more suitable for comfort.

However, a new possibility has arrived today as part of Mark Gurman’s iPhone 17 event preview. In a section dedicated to future Apple products still in the near-term pipeline, Gurman mentions what would be a whole new look for Apple Vision Pro:

Apple is poised to release the first hardware update to the Vision Pro, the controversial and slow-to-sell mixed-reality headset it launched in Feb. 2024. But the update won’t be much to write home about: Apple is swapping out the chip from the M2 to something newer (it’s tested both the M4 and M5). It’s also considered a space black version. The company is planning to roll out a far cheaper and lighter model as well as smart glasses over the next two years.

The one new detail there is the mention of a potential space black version of Apple Vision Pro.

From a design standpoint, that’s a playbook similar to what Apple used with Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple Watch Ultra originally shipped in a light color. Apple Watch Ultra 2 did the same, but a year later, Apple introduced a black version to refresh the look.

If Apple releases Apple Vision Pro 2 in space black, it won’t be a significant enough change to change minds about the $3,499 starting price or overall practicality of the hardware, but it will look cool! It would also be the one signal that it’s the new version if other changes are mostly internal.

Would you prefer a space black version of Apple Vision Pro? Apple already ships space black versions of the M4 iPad Pro and M4 MacBook Pro, so it makes sense for the M4 or M5 Apple Vision Pro.