Apple's Head-Mounted Wearable Products Development
Apple is quietly but steadily building a multi-year roadmap for head-mounted wearable technology, spanning high-end mixed reality headsets and lightweight smart glasses. New details suggest Apple is working on seven XR-related products, divided into two major product families, with launches stretching well into the second half of this decade.
This signals Apple’s long-term commitment to spatial computing—beyond the current Vision Pro.
Apple Vision Pro (Next Iteration – M5 Powered)
Apple’s first major step forward will be an updated Apple Vision Pro, powered by the upcoming M5 chipset.
Key expectations:
- Launch window: Q3 2025
- Chipset: Apple M5
- Estimated shipments: 150,000–200,000 units in Q3 2025
- Positioned as a performance refresh, not a redesign
This version is expected to deliver:
- Better efficiency and sustained performance
- Improved AI and spatial computing workloads
- Incremental refinements rather than dramatic visual changes
Apple is reportedly keeping production limited, reinforcing Vision Pro’s role as a developer-focused, premium device rather than a mass-market product.
Vision Air: Lighter, Cheaper, More Accessible
Apple’s bigger strategic shift appears with Vision Air, a new XR headset aimed at broader adoption.
Expected details:
- Mass production: Q3 2027
- Processor: Flagship iPhone-class chip (not M-series)
- Weight reduction: Up to 40% lighter than Vision Pro
- Materials: Glass replaced with plastic
- Sensors: Reduced sensor count
- Price: Significantly lower than Vision Pro’s $3,499 (~₹2,99,000)
By cutting weight, materials, and hardware complexity, Apple is clearly targeting:
- Longer wearing comfort
- Wider consumer appeal
- A more realistic price point for mainstream users
Vision Air is expected to be the true entry point into Apple’s spatial computing ecosystem.
Apple Smart Glasses: A Ray-Ban Meta Rival
Alongside XR headsets, Apple is also developing smart glasses designed to compete directly with Ray-Ban Meta Glasses.
While details remain limited, expectations include:
- Lightweight, everyday wearable design
- Camera, audio, and AI-driven features
- Tight integration with iPhone, Siri, and Apple services
- Focus on notifications, voice interaction, and capture, rather than full AR visuals (initially)
This suggests Apple is exploring a step-by-step AR strategy, starting with smart glasses before advancing to full-display AR eyewear.
Two Product Groups, One Long-Term Vision
Apple’s XR roadmap appears split into:
- High-end spatial computing headsets (Vision Pro, Vision Air)
- Lightweight smart glasses for daily use
Together, these products could form a layered ecosystem—similar to how Apple positioned:
- MacBook Pro → MacBook Air
- Apple Watch Ultra → Apple Watch SE
Why This Matters
Apple’s approach highlights a few key priorities:
- Patience over speed: Apple is willing to iterate slowly
- Ecosystem-first strategy: Hardware tightly aligned with software and services
- Gradual mass adoption: From premium to mainstream over several years
Rather than chasing early mass adoption, Apple is laying the foundation for long-term dominance in spatial and wearable computing.
Apple’s head-mounted wearable roadmap makes one thing clear: Vision Pro is just the beginning. With a lighter Vision Air and smart glasses in development, Apple is building a multi-tier XR ecosystem designed to scale from developers and professionals to everyday users.
The real breakthrough may not come in 2025—but when Apple finally makes spatial computing comfortable, affordable, and invisible enough for daily life.
For more updates on Apple, XR headsets, smart glasses, and future tech, visit:
👉 www.technologiesformobile.com