Apple is preparing to expand its spatial computing lineup with the upcoming Vision Air headset, which is slated to launch in 2027. The device is designed as a lighter and more affordable alternative to the Vision Pro, offering a slimmer design, lower price tag, and iPhone-class performance that could make Apple’s mixed reality technology more accessible to the masses. Currently, the Vision Pro is priced at a hefty $3,499, which means that a larger portion of the market would not be getting it.
Apple’s Vision Air headset aims to deliver a lighter design, lower cost, and iPhone chip-powered performance in the 2027 launch
Apple is planning to bring more versatility to its mixed-reality platform with the Vision Air, a headset that will combine performance with accessibility. The Vision Air is expected to weigh over 40 percent less than the Vision Pro, bringing the weight under a pound, which would be one of the biggest changes to the headset since its launch. A lot of users have complained that the Vision Pro is quite heavy, especially when they are using it for longer sessions.
The news was shared by the prominent industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, also speculating that the company appears to be targeting affordability, with the information suggesting that Vision Air could cost up to 50 percent less than the Vision Pro. If the news has any heft to it, this means that the pricing could start at $1,750, bringing it much closer to the price of the iPhone and Macs. To be fair, this is a more realistic price for a product that consumers would use compared to the Vision Pro.
To tackle the cost and possibly the design, Apple is expected to shift from glass to plastic components, adopt magnesium alloy for the frame instead of titanium, and streamline the sensor array. These adjustments will not only reduce the cost of manufacturing the device, but also shave off the weight, giving it a more comfort-focused form factor.
Another major cost-saving measure would be the company’s move to switch from the Mac’s M-series chips to the iPhone’s A-series chips for the Vision Air. The iPhone-grade processor would allow the device to remain in the competitive category while balancing performance, efficiency, and cost. Take note that iPhone’s A-series of chips have come a long way, and the performance of the latest chips is on par with older M-branded chips. Since the Vision Air will launch in 2027, we suspect that it will be equipped with an A21 chip based on TSMC’s 2nm chip fabrication process for enhanced computational and graphical output, while being more power efficient.
Mass production of the Vision Air is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2027, which means that the company could announce it by the end of the year, possibly alongside the new OLED MacBook Pro models. Do you think more people will jump on mixed reality platforms after the company introduces a cheaper Vision Air? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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