Apple Vision Pro 2 rumors: Release date, upgrades, and more

Remember the Apple Vision Pro? Apple's AR/VR headset launched more than a year and a half ago in early 2024 to much fanfare. Since then, however, there appears to be waning interest in the Apple Vision Pro as sales have plunged for the $3,499 device.

However, Apple isn't giving up on the Apple Vision Pro quite yet.

In fact, the company has been hard at work on a new version of the AR/VR set, tentatively titled the Apple Vision Pro 2.

There are conflicting reports from two separate trustworthy sources regarding Apple's upgraded AR/VR headset. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new Vision Pro 2 would be powered by Apple's upcoming M5 chipset. However, Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman has previously reported that the upgraded Vision Pro 2 would use Apple's most current chipset, the M4. Either way, though, it will seemingly be a big upgrade from the M2 chip that powers the current Vision Pro model alongside the R1 chip.

In addition to the upgraded processor, Gurman reports that Apple is working on increasing the 16 cores in the neural engine of the current Vision Pro, which would make the Vision Pro 2 even more powerful at completing AI related tasks.

Another big upgrade to the Vision Pro 2 is a more practical one: The headstrap. Even the Vision Pro owners who like the headset have complained about how heavy the device is, especially when using it for a prolonged period of time. 

According to a report from Bloomberg's Gurman from over the summer, Apple is working on a new headstrap that will enable users to more easily wear the 1.4 pound device for longer time periods. The report says the new strap for the Vision Pro 2 would focus on reducing neck strain and head pain.

Apple appears to be aiming for a Vision Pro 2 release by Spring 2026 before moving towards a cheaper, lighter AR/VR headset to be released sometime in 2027 or later.