Apple’s secret plans for Vision Pro, Vision AI, and Vision XR revealed

Apple has no intention of abandoning Vision Pro. Instead, it is planning a longer journey to ambient computing, and what it has learned so far gives us some glimpses on what it is about to do. Meanwhile, analyst Ming Chi Kuo has published what he thinks is the Apple road map for these systems for the coming years.

If he’s right, Apple intends widening the range of visionOS-enabled products, creating a range that spans visionOS glasses, headsets, and a new Vision Air, a lower cost, lightweight version of its pro headset.

But the company doesn’t seem to be hurrying the vision, as while it does intend updating the Vision Pro to an M5 chip, the next big release won’t reach until 2027 when Apple introduces two new products:

Apple Smart Glasses

These are almost the Macs you’ll wear like sunglasses. You’ll be able to purchase them with multiple frames and materials, and you’ll get voice control, gesture recognition but no display (?). You will get audio playback, a camera for video and photography, and a lot of AI, including for environmental awareness. These are apparently scheduled to ship in Q2 2027.

Apple Vision Air

The affordable alternative to Vision Pro, the Vision Air will be 40% lighter, use plastic rather than glass, and carry fewer sensors. Powered by an A-series Apple Silicon chip rather than the M, it is expected to cost a lot less than the Pro model but offer up a vast number of the same features.

This is likely to be the visionOS device people first seriously think about purchasing, which means developers should know that they have until 2027 to build the best possible consumer focused experiences for spatial reality.

What happens in 2028?

Apple in 2028 should introduce the true second-generation Vision Pro. This will have a new design, less weight, cost less, and continue to use a powerful Mac processor. You’ll see this appearing in Apple Stores in the latter half of the year.

Apple will also introduce XR Glasses, these will actually be the Macs you’ll wear like sunglasses. Voice and gesture controls and all the features of the first Smart Glasses will be supplemented by a color display and even more AI. The company hopes to introduce second generations of these a year or so later.

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