Vision Pro has been written off by many as a flop, and a recent report saying new hardware is “in flux” doesn’t help that narrative. But here’s why Apple’s approach to Vision Pro 2 hardware may not be such bad news after all.
Vision Pro 2 progress isn’t ‘full steam ahead’ per Gurman
Over the weekend, Mark Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter with an update on Apple’s progress with new Vision Pro hardware.
Plans for next-generation Vision Pro models — including an upgrade of the first version and a cheaper variant — remain in flux. There is work going on, but nothing is full steam ahead right now. On the other hand, the company is committed to eventually bringing true augmented reality glasses to market. It’s going to take a while, but the iPhone maker believes it has the ingredients to be a winner in the category.
In the shorter term, Apple is preparing a major visionOS 3.0 upgrade this year. It will follow version 2.4, which adds Apple Intelligence and a new app with additional immersive content.
On the surface, this update might serve as fodder for the “Vision Pro is doomed” narrative.
But as someone who recently bought the Vision Pro, and is encouraged by recent software changes, there’s reason for optimism.
Why? Because a slower Vision Pro 2 rollout means Apple must be confident in the original Vision Pro hardware.
Meaning, Apple isn’t fast-tracking Vision Pro 2, in part, because the original Vision Pro has very capable hardware already and doesn’t need a quick update.
We’ve seen this play out in recent news about visionOS software updates.
Big visionOS upgrades indicate there’s no rush to ship new hardware
After last year’s WWDC, there were whispers that perhaps Apple Intelligence couldn’t come to the Vision Pro because of hardware limitations.
Vision Pro has an M2 chip, which otherwise does provide the necessary power for AI. But some speculated that Apple had already maxed out Vision Pro’s hardware with its existing feature set.
That’s clearly not the case.
Not only has Apple shipped big software updates in visionOS 2 and 2.2, but the next update will bring Apple Intelligence support to Vision Pro.
visionOS 2.4 will offer most of the AI features found on Apple’s other platforms, and the few limitations don’t seem tied to hardware restrictions.
Similarly, Gurman says that visionOS 3 will be a “major” upgrade.
Apple’s software work has consistently improved the Vision Pro experience with no new hardware necessary.
Apparently, the company’s software roadmap isn’t being restricted by the hardware of the original Vision Pro.
This is good news for early adopters, or recent buyers like myself. Not getting access to new features would be especially painful considering Vision Pro’s high price tag.
Longer wait for Vision Pro 2 might be fine
I’ll admit that if Apple was moving full steam ahead on Vision Pro’s successor, that would be a more encouraging update.
But as Gurman says, work is being done. Apple just doesn’t seem to be in a rush to get Vision Pro 2 out the door.
Maybe I’m working too hard to find a silver lining, but I don’t think a longer wait for Vision Pro 2 is such bad news.
If Apple keeps giving Vision Pro owners great software upgrades, and can take the time it needs to fix the current model’s shortcomings, that seems like a good thing. A spec-bumped release could be fine, but there are deeper issues that need addressing, and perhaps more time will help.
What are your thoughts on Vision Pro 2’s reported progress? Let us know in the comments.
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