Impartial provide chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo launched a report claiming that Apple is gearing as much as launch a less expensive and lighter model of Imaginative and prescient Professional in 2027, which is anticipated to be referred to as ‘Imaginative and prescient Air’.
Ostensibly leaked from provide chain sources, Kuo claims Imaginative and prescient Air is estimated to be “over 40% lighter and greater than 50% cheaper” than Imaginative and prescient Professional, which weighs in at round 600g, and is priced at $3,500.
Notably, that weight determine doesn’t take into consideration the exterior battery pack, which weighs 350g. Offered Kuo is just quoting that ~600g on-head weight of Imaginative and prescient Professional itself, this might put the rumored Imaginative and prescient Air at lower than 400g, and priced at lower than $1,750.
Not less than by Kuo’s description of the headset’s weight, it’s additionally appears like Imaginative and prescient Air is sticking with the exterior battery; the inclusion of an inside battery, like that present in Quest 3 and Quest 3S (each round 515g), would make it troublesome to succeed in that sub-400g weight.
One of many greatest options more likely to be on the chopping block for a less expensive and lighter Imaginative and prescient Professional is undoubtedly the headset’s glass-covered EyeSight entrance show, which supplies a form of virtualized illustration of the person’s eyes.
Imaginative and prescient Professional can also be made with out of premium supplies, corresponding to aluminum and magnesium, which may very well be lightened by changing them with plastic. That could be a bridge too far although, because it may sacrifice Apple’s premium design aesthetic.
Based on the report, it additionally seems the Cupertino tech large is hoping to make an even bigger splash with Imaginative and prescient Professional’s lighter and cheaper follow-up—to not be confused the with reported M5 {hardware} refresh of Imaginative and prescient Professional anticipated to reach someday later this yr.
Kuo maintains Apple is internally concentrating on anticipated shipments of Imaginative and prescient Air to succeed in a million items in 2027. Whereas Apple hasn’t launched Imaginative and prescient Professional gross sales knowledge any time following the system’s preliminary launch in February 2024, an October 2024 report from The Info claimed Apple was eyeing a gross sales goal of 420,000 items for its first yr.
Moreover, Kuo maintains Basic Interface Resolution (GIS), the Taiwan-based firm concerned within the lamination means of Imaginative and prescient Professional’s pancake lenses, will broaden its function to turn out to be the unique provider of pancake lenses.
