Apple is shelving a significant redesign of its Vision Pro headset to fast-track the development of smart glasses, a move aimed at competing with Meta's expanding Ray-Ban AI eyewear product line, Bloomberg reported.
The company is pausing work on a lighter, more affordable Vision Pro model that was planned for a 2027 release. Engineers from that project are now reportedly being redirected to focus on two distinct smart glasses models. One version will be a simpler device that pairs with an iPhone and does not have a display, while the other will feature integrated screens to challenge Meta's latest offerings.
According to Bloomberg, Apple hopes to unveil the first model as early as 2026, with a wider launch in 2027.
The strategic shift aligns with past statements from CEO Tim Cook, who has long suggested glasses would hold more mass appeal than headsets. In 2016, he argued that most consumers would find being "enclosed in something" an unacceptable experience.
Minor Vision Pro update implied in FCC filing
Even as Apple shifts resources to glasses, a new filing with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests a refreshed Vision Pro is imminent. Documents spotted by MacRumors show a "Head Mounted Device" with the model number A3416 undergoing compliance testing.
The paperwork confirms continued use of Wi-Fi 6 rather than the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard. While specifications remain scarce, Wccftech noted that the device could adopt the same M5 chip found in Apple's latest iPad Pro lineup.
The refreshed headset would mark the first update since the Vision Pro's launch in 2024. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but reports suggest it is unlikely to fall below the current $3,499 entry point.
Competition heats up in AI wearables
Apple's pivot comes as rivals solidify their positions in the AI hardware market. Meta has seen strong sales with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, first launched in 2021 and followed by an upgraded version in 2023. The company introduced new models in September 2025 with improved battery life and designs for athletes.
Other tech giants are also entering the space. Bloomberg noted that Amazon, Google, and OpenAI, which is working with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, are all developing new AI-centric hardware. The race is on to build devices that could one day challenge the dominance of the smartphone.
Article edited by Jack Wu
