If Apple releases a cheaper Vision Pro headset, it will likely be a stripped-down version with fewer external cameras, no EyeSight feature, and an iPhone chip instead of the current Mac chip. BloombergMark Gurman reported in his newsletter that the company is considering these options as ways to reduce the cost to between $1,500 and $2,500 for a low-end model. , which will begin shipping in early 2024, currently has a starting price of $3,500.
In a previous report, Gurman said the cheaper Vision Pro would also use lower-resolution displays inside the headphones. The big hint now is that it can eliminate the external display that enables its signature EyeSight feature, according to Gurman. EyeSight projects the user’s eyes onto an outward-facing OLED screen so anyone who approaches can see where their attention is focused. It was one of the main selling points in Apple’s Vision Pro announcement, although it’s not exactly mission critical.
According to Gurman, a follow-up to the premium Vision Pro is also in the works. It will have EyeSight and potentially a lighter design that opts for built-in prescription lenses for those who need them instead of the Zeiss inserts it’s working with now.
