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Apple’s Vision Pro successor faces an uncertain future as engineers test 4 headset concepts under project N224. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported the development on September 27, with Apple considering designs that shift hardware away from the headset.
The reported effort aims to reduce weight and improve comfort while retaining mixed reality capabilities. Apple did not confirm the project or its possible launch plans. Gurman says the work remains on “life support” as Apple evaluates a new direction.
The Apple Vision Pro successor remains under development within Apple’s Vision team, despite growing attention around smart glasses. Engineers are reportedly testing several concepts that could change how the headset handles computing and power. One design could move internal components into an external puck connected through a cable.
Another option would keep most hardware inside the headset while using lighter materials. The approach reflects Apple’s attempt to address weight without abandoning the all-in-one headset format.
The external puck concept reportedly created disagreement among Apple executives over everyday convenience. Some leaders reportedly prefer keeping the hardware closer to the current Vision Pro design.
Apple already separates the headset from its battery pack through a cable. Moving additional computing hardware outside could further reduce weight around the user’s face. The company also reportedly wants any successor to become lighter and cheaper than the current model.
The original Vision Pro launched in 2024 with a USD 3,499 starting price and struggled to gain broader momentum. Its high cost and substantial weight have remained major challenges for wider consumer adoption.
Apple explored lighter headset concepts while shifting resources toward other wearable products. Earlier reports also indicated that Apple deprioritized several enclosed headset projects during 2026.
Apple hardware chief John Ternus continued to express confidence in the platform’s longer-term potential. Ternus compared Vision Pro’s current stage with the early development period of personal computers. “We’re going to continue to grow and find more and more compelling use cases,” Ternus said. He also described the platform’s future as “very bright” during a recent interview.
Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly giving greater attention to displayless smart glasses planned for a future release. Gurman’s latest reporting places any potential N224 launch around late 2028 or early 2029.
The timeline remains uncertain since Apple could still change or cancel the project. Earlier reporting also identified smart glasses as a growing priority within Apple’s wearable strategy.
For now, the N224 headset represents a possible reset rather than a confirmed Vision Pro 2. Apple must balance lower weight, lower cost, and strong computing performance in one design.
The next major signal could come when Apple commits to a specific hardware direction. Until then, the Vision Pro successor remains one of Apple’s most uncertain hardware projects.
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