Apple's Vision Pro 2: Rumored M4 Upgrade and Comfort Enhancements Coming Later This Year

Apple's second-generation Vision Pro might launch this year

Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Apple is preparing to launch its next Vision Pro headset "as early as this year," according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The upcoming device will reportedly feature an upgraded M4 processor, along with a redesigned strap to combat neck and head pain. The $3,499 Vision Pro, which was released in February 2024, uses a now-three-year-old M2 processor. As reported by Bloomberg, the Vision Pro's next iteration could come with an emphasis on AI, a move that would align with the company's efforts to infuse AI across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. According to Bloomberg, Apple could outfit the next Vision Pro with more than the 16 neural engine cores available on the current M2-equipped headset. If true, that would make it the first M4 chip with more than 16 neural cores -- so far, only the M2 Ultra and M3 Ultra have come with more than that. Even without the extra cores, the M4's 16-core NPU is still more than two times faster than one on the M2. Bloomberg reports that Apple is also testing new Vision Pro straps to make the around 1.4-pound device more comfortable to wear as well. My former colleague Wes Davis found that the Vision Pro was most comfortable when the included Solo Knit Band was paired with a $50 Belkin Head Strap than with either of Apple's two included bands on their own. Last month, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that Apple could launch an M5-powered Vision Pro headset by the end of this year. Both Gurman and Kuo say Apple is on track to launch a lighter -- and cheaper -- version of the Vision Pro in 2027. Apple is also reportedly working on a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses similar to the ones launched by Meta.

Apple Readies First Upgrade to Its Struggling Vision Pro Headset

Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first upgrade to the $3,499 Vision Pro headset as early as this year, aiming to improve the performance and comfort of a device that has been slow to catch on with consumers. The updated Vision Pro will include a faster processor and components that can better run artificial intelligence, according to people with knowledge of the matter. There also will be a new strap to make it easier to wear the headset for long periods of time, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven't been announced.

Apple's next Vision Pro will reportedly have an M4 chip and a better head strap

This is likely a minor update while the company preps a major redesign for 2027. Apple is planning to release the first refresh of the Vision Pro headset, according to reporting by Bloomberg. Industry analyst Mark Gurman suggests that the updated gadget could come as early as this year. The reporting indicates that the new headset will include a faster processor and components that are better suited for running AI tools. It will also reportedly feature a new strap that's easier to wear for long periods of time. The increased specs are a no-brainer because the primary processor in the original Vision Pro is the M2 chip and Apple recently released the M4. The upgraded strap is a welcome change for most users. This thing was advertised as a replacement for desktop computing and long-term comfort has always been a sticking point here. Eight hours is a long time to sit with your head being weighed down like an anvil. To that end, Gurman says that Apple is working on another redesigned model that significantly reduces the weight of the headset. This one is rumored to come out in 2027. Despite the welcome hardware changes, there's still the high-priced elephant in the room. The Apple Vision Pro has struggled to entice consumers because it costs $3,500. It really doesn't matter how beefed up the new version is if that sticker price remains so exorbitant. If Apple doesn't figure out a way to sell this headset for much cheaper, it will remain a niche device. It's long been speculated that Apple is prepping a more budget-friendly headset, likely priced in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. We do know for certain that Apple is prepping a new operating system for the device, called visionOS 26. This will include virtual widgets and offer the ability for eye-scrolling. The OS is coming later this year, so maybe it will accompany the rumored hardware refresh. Reports also suggest that Apple is working on a tethered headset for enterprise applications and smart glasses.

Apple Vision Pro 2 could launch later this year, powered by M4 chip

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Forward-looking: Apple's Vision Pro headset generated a lot of hype when it debuted in 2023, but it turned out to be a commercial failure, largely due to its astronomical price tag. Undeterred by the slow sales, the company is reportedly working on the second-generation model, powered by a faster M4 processor and equipped with a redesigned head strap for better comfort. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the next Vision Pro could launch later this year, but it's unclear whether Apple will retain the $3,500 MSRP of its predecessor or price it more affordably. Gurman also claimed that the new model will ship with the M4 chip, which directly contradicts a recent memo from tipster Ming-Chi Kuo, claiming the next-gen Vision Pro would use an M5 SoC. Gurman added that the new Vision Pro 2 will feature an upgraded strap designed to combat neck and head pain, potentially addressing one of the biggest complaints about the first-generation model. The new device will also reportedly offer several AI features, in line with the company's recent emphasis on artificial intelligence across its Mac, iPhone, and iPad lineups. According to Gurman, the M4 powering the Vision Pro 2 will have more than 16 NPU cores. If accurate, it would suggest Apple is working on a new M4 variant, as the only two known M-series chips with more than 16 NPU cores are the M2 Ultra and M3 Ultra. The vanilla M4 has a 16-core NPU, which is still more than two times faster than the neural engine in the M2. As for the new strap, Apple is reportedly redesigning it to make the headset more comfortable to wear for long periods. Many first-generation Vision Pro owners took to social media sites and online message boards to vent their frustration at how uncomfortable the device was to wear for long periods, so the redesign seems to be Apple's attempt to fix that flaw. Alongside the Vision Pro 2, Apple is also said to be working on a lighter and cheaper headset that could be optimized for enterprise applications. Both Gurman and Kuo believe that it could launch in 2027. In addition to the mixed reality products, Apple is also reportedly prepping a pair of augmented reality glasses for late 2026.

Apple to Upgrade Vision Pro in Two Ways Later This Year

Apple plans to introduce a new version of the Vision Pro this year, with the main update focused on the chip inside, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The device will use the M4 chip that Apple has already debuted in the iPad Pro and several Macs. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said late last year that a new Vision Pro coming in 2025 would have an M5 chip, and Gurman also said around the same timeframe that Apple would update the Vision Pro with the M5 chip. Just last month, Kuo maintained that the updated Vision Pro would use an M5 chip, but it now appears that information about the M5 could be incorrect. The current version of the Vision Pro includes an M2 chip, so even if the upgraded model won't get the M5 chip, the M4 should still bring significant performance improvements. Apple is also testing a version of the device that has an upgraded Neural Engine with a higher number of cores, which would improve processing for AI tasks. Along with the faster processor, Apple plans to update the Vision Pro with a strap that will make the headset more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. Straps that Apple is working on are meant to cut down on head pain and neck strain, but there's no information on what Apple has in mind. Apple already has two Vision Pro straps, including one that goes around the back of the head and a second add-on strap that better distributes weight at the top of the head. After the second-generation Vision Pro that's coming out this year, the device will not see another update in 2026. Apple is instead planning to debut a redesigned model in 2027. The redesigned model, which Kuo has referred to as a "Vision Air," is expected to be significantly lighter. Gurman says that Apple is working on another variation of the Vision Pro that could be tethered to an iPhone or Mac for enterprise applications and reduced lag. Apple had been designing Mac-connected glasses that would work as a computer display, but Apple paused work on that project back in January. Apple is developing a set of smart glasses that are similar to Meta's Ray-Bans and that are supposed to come out in 2026. Those glasses won't feature augmented reality capabilities, but they will serve as a precursor to true AR glasses.

Apple Vision Pro 2 teased for 2025 launch with new M4 chip, more comfortable head strap

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. Apple is reportedly set to introduce a Vision Pro successor this year, with performance improvements in the use of its newer M4 processor, improved AI functions, and a more comfortable strap. In a new report from Mark Gurman inside his new PowerOn newsletter, we're hearing that the updated Vision Pro will sport a faster M4 processor and other components that can "better run" AI, according to the usual "people familiar with the matter". There will also be a new strap that will make it easier to wear the Vision Pro for longer periods of time. These won't be the only upgrades Apple includes in a new Vision Pro headset, as there is a redesigned model coming in 2027 that "significantly reduces the weight of the headset" according to Gurman's sources. The initial upgrade to the Vision Pro headset will use the M4 processor that Apple has inside of its new iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and iMac, representing a big upgrade in performance over the current Vision Pro which is powered by the M2 processor. Apple is reportedly testing versions of a new Vision Pro headset that will increase the number of cores inside of the neural engine, which is the component for processing AI tasks. Apple's current Vision Pro headset has two strap options: one that sits around the back of the user's head, while another goes over the top of the wearer's head. Apple has been working on easing the weight of the headset, with a developer of masks used in sleep apnea treatment even offering third-party bands for the Vision Pro, but the issue of weight persists. The second-generation Vision Pro and its minor changes are "unlikely to make the headset a consumer hit" writes Gurman, but it might give corporate customers a reason to buy the Vision Pro. Later this year, Apple will unleash its new visionOS 26 operating system that will feature virtual widgets and a new eye-scrolling feature. We've reported on rumors of a new Vision Pro that is tethered, designed for enterprise applications with radically reduced lag. Not only that, but Apple has been working on Mac-connected glasses that would act as a virtual computer monitor, but it paused work on the project -- codenamed N107 -- several months ago, adds Gurman.

Apple reportedly working on Vision Pro 2 with M4 Chip and improved comfort: Here's what we know

A lightweight or more affordable version of the Vision Pro may not arrive until 2027 or later. Apple's Vision Pro headset has grabbed massive attention from all over the globe. Now, the latest reports hint that the tech giant is working on the second-generation headset. According to Bloomberg, the upcoming model is said to be powered by a faster M4 processor and a new head strap for better comfort. For the unversed, the first-generation Vision was introduced last year in February with a price tag of a whopping $3,499. It was powered by Apple silicone's M2 chip, which is now considered outdated if we look at the current lineup. The report further added that the second-generation Vision Pro headset will focus on AI, in line with Apple's broader strategy of expanding AI capabilities across its products. If true, the second-gen Vision Pro will be the first to get an M4 chip with more than 16 neural engine cores. According to reports, the company is also testing new strap designs in response to complaints about the headset's weight and comfort level. This comes after many users reported that the current model causes neck strain when worn for an extended period of time due to its 1.4-pound weight. The report also stated that the brand is testing alternatives to the included Solo Knit Band, one of which is said to improve comfort when paired with third-party accessories. Also read: Elon Musk's Grok under fire for antisemitic, pro-Hitler posts on X Previously, it was reported that Apple may introduce the next-generation Vision Pro headset with an even more powerful version using the M5 chip. This comes after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated the device could launch later this year. The fans can also expect a lightweight model but not anytime soon. The reports stated that the affordable version could launch in 2027 or later. The report also stated that Apple is also exploring other wearables as well, including AR glasses designed to rival offerings from Meta, but not confirmed at the moment.