Additionally, the existing model weighs about 1.5 pounds, which can lead to discomfort during prolonged use.

Following the commercial debut of the original Vision Pro in February 2024, which received a lukewarm reception, Apple plans to introduce a more affordable version of the mixed reality headset.

The current Vision Pro headset is priced at $3,500, making it significantly more expensive than competitors like the Meta Quest 3, which is seven times cheaper.

Apple has shifted its focus from developing a pair of AR glasses to creating two new versions of its Vision Pro headset: a consumer-friendly model and a tethered version aimed at enterprise applications such as surgery and flight simulations.

Under CEO Tim Cook's leadership, Apple has opted to pivot its strategy, moving away from merely upgrading the existing model's M2 chip to the new M5 chip.

However, the development of this cheaper Vision Pro is complicated by existing tariffs on Chinese imports, which pose challenges in reducing production costs.