Apple Vision Pro 2: M5 Chip and 'Apple Intelligence' Rumored for 2025 Release

The next Apple Vision Pro could have Apple Intelligence -- how AI will reportedly fix the headset's flaws

Apple fans are still waiting for the release of M4 Macs later this year. However, one Apple analyst suggests that the company is already looking ahead to the next iteration of the Apple Vision Pro, which will be reportedly powered by the next-gen M5 chipset. According to a new report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is expected to start production for the new Apple Vision Pro in the second half of 2025. The new Apple Vision Pro will also likely incorporate Apple's AI, Apple Intelligence, within the spatial computing realm, Kuo says. The Apple Vision Pro burst onto the market in February 2024 to much fanfare. But the conversation around the launch of Apple's brand new product quickly faded. Apple Vision Pro sales have apparently fallen well below the one million units goal that Apple had been targeting. Previous reports from earlier this year suggested that Apple is pausing the production of a new, full-featured Apple Vision Pro model, and instead, focusing on creating a cheaper version. The Apple Vision Pro currently retails for $3,499. The M5 upgrade for Apple Vision Pro would see the device skip two whole generations of the Apple's silicon chipset. The Apple Vision Pro currently on the market is powered by the M2 chip. According to Kuo, it's possible that the M5 Apple Vision Pro price will be lower than the current model, but the Apple analyst adds that it "may not change much." According to Kuo, the new Apple Vision Pro could potentially solve some of its user interface problems with the help of Apple Intelligence, or Apple's branded AI. "Combining eye tracking, gesture control, and Apple Intelligence should provide a better user experience for spatial computing," Kuo writes in the report. Kuo reports that the supply chain for the Apple Vision Pro will largely remain unchanged, which could contribute to cost reductions during mass production. He also expects improvements in both the device's weight and battery life. This latest report from the Apple analyst provides some important insight into the big picture of Apple Vision Pro's future. But any specifics read more like speculation from Kuo based on that broader knowledge. At Mashable, at least for the near future, we're still crossing our fingers for those long-awaited M4 Mac releases before we get ahead of ourselves with any M5 possibilities.

Kuo: 2025 Apple Vision Pro to Get M5 Chip and Apple Intelligence

Apple is developing a new version of its Vision Pro headset that is set to enter mass production in the second half of 2025, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo claims the most significant change in the new model will be the inclusion of Apple's M5 chip, a substantial upgrade from the M2 chip found in the current Vision Pro. The processor boost is expected to significantly improve device's computing power, with a particular emphasis on integrated Apple Intelligence features. Despite the upgraded internals, Kuo reports that other hardware specifications and the overall design of the Vision Pro will remain largely unchanged. This approach could help Apple manage production costs, although the price point is expected to stay close to the current $3,499 starting price of the first-generation model. Kuo emphasized that if this new version creates compelling use cases, it could push Apple's spatial computing platform closer to mainstream adoption. He also speculates on the potential integration of advanced AI models, such as text-to-video capabilities similar to OpenAI's Sora, which could dramatically enhance the Vision Pro experience. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to introduce Apple Intelligence features to the Vision Pro headset in the future. While the device is capable of running on-device AI functions such as writing tools, notification summaries, and an upgraded Siri, these features are not expected to arrive in 2024. Instead, Apple may be reserving the Apple Intelligence integration for visionOS 3, potentially launching in 2025.

Vision Pro 2 With M5 Chip, Apple Intelligence Arriving in 2025; No Price Cuts: Kuo

Apart from the processor upgrade, the Apple Vision Pro 2 will arrive with the same overall design, hardware specifications, and price tag. Apple launched its first mixed-reality headset in February 2024. After a few months, there were rumors that Apple had put the second-gen Vision Pro on hold, to prioritize a cheaper headset. However, the recent rumors point to a different story. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is working on its next generation of Vision Pro, which is all set to enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Kuo says the prime highlight of the Vision Pro 2 would be the inclusion of Apple's M5 chipset, which will make it a substantial upgrade over the first Vision Pro with M2 chip. Although we don't have many details about the M5 processor, the jump from M2 to M5 is expected to take the computing power to a whole new level and offer the best of Apple Intelligence features. Of course, the announced M5 processor will surpass the already powerful M4 chipset, which is the latest in Apple's Silicon lineup. It's worth knowing that despite powerful innards, the overall design and other hardware specifications are likely to remain the same. This could help Apple manage production costs. However, the Vision Pro 2 price is speculated to fall in line with the first-generation model, which has a $3,499 starting price. We've also heard rumors about Apple planning to come up with a cheaper version of Vision Pro with a lower-resolution display, but there are no signs of the expected release date as of now. Kuo mentioned that the price of the M5 Vision Pro may not change much, but Apple might deploy some clever strategy and create attractive use cases to reach mainstream adoption. This has become more than necessary after the lackluster sales of the first Vision Pro. He also emphasizes that Apple might integrate something like OpenAI's Sora, which could dramatically elevate the Vision Pro experience. After all, the impact of text-to-video AI models would be more impressive on a head-mounted display device than on current mainstream consumer electronics. Mark Gurman also said that Apple has plans to roll out Apple Intelligence features to the Vision Pro headset in the future. While the headset can run on-device AI functions such as all-new Siri, writing tools, and notification summaries, we might not see them in 2024. Instead, Apple may reserve Apple Intelligence integration until visionOS 3, which could potentially launch in 2025.

Apple Intelligence will come to an M5-powered Apple Vision Pro

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple Intelligence will be the chief selling point of an M5-based Apple Vision Pro, and also that little else will change from the current model. While most recent rumors regarding the future of Apple's headset have concentrated on plans for a lower-cost Apple Vision version, it has also been obvious that there would be future versions of the Apple Vision Pro. It's also been obvious that such a future version would use a newer processor than the M2 in the current generation, but Ming-Chi Kuo now specifies that it will be the M5. In his full blog post, Kuo says that the new M5-powered Vision Pro is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Kuo appears to be basing this less on specific supply chain information, though, and more on his own extrapolation of what rumors there are. He is also strongly assuming that Apple Intelligence will not only be included in the new Apple Vision Pro, but will also fix what he sees as problems with the current model. "The biggest design challenge for Vision Pro/head-mounted display devices is that the human-machine user interface needs to be more intuitive and efficient," he writes. "Apple Intelligence/GenAI is expected to improve this significantly." "Combining eye tracking, gesture control, and Apple Intelligence should provide a better user experience for spatial computing," he continues. "In particular, if the M5 Vision Pro can integrate something like OpenAI's Sora, it may elevate the user experience of the head-mounted display device to unimaginable levels," continues Kuo. "The impact of text-to-video AI models on the head-mounted display device experience will likely be more impressive than on existing mainstream consumer electronics." It's not really clear how he thinks AI will improve matters, nor really why he believes it's needed. In a piece disparaging Apple for the lack of Apple Vision Pro content, AppleInsider still said that "the software can feel magical at times, and it makes using apps feel intuitive and whimsical." Kuo says that "other hardware specs and designs won't change much, which should help lower costs and price points." However, he also claims that the price "may not change much." Previous rumors have claimed that an updated Apple Vision Pro would be released in 2026. One sketchy report also said it would cost half the price of the current version.

Apple Vision Pro 2 Reportedly Entering Mass Production In H2 2025, Sporting The New M5 SoC, Spatial Computing & Generative AI Could Make It A Hit

The development of the Apple Vision Pro 2 has not been halted, despite the first AR headset failing to garner the much-needed reception, with a previous estimate stating that the U.S. had yet to see 100,000 shipments. Regardless, an analyst points out that the new head-mounted wearable will ship with a brand new M5 chipset, delivering incredible compute performance that should elevate the user experience while pointing out various additions that could surge the successor's popularity. Design of the Apple Vision Pro 2 could remain unchanged, reducing production costs and possibly contributing to a lower retail price Alongside the low-cost version, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the Apple Vision Pro 2 will enter mass production in the second half of 2025 and will ship with the new M5 chipset. Sadly, the specifications and lithography were not shared, but he previously mentioned that Apple will not switch to TSMC's 2nm process next year due to the high wafer costs, meaning that the A19 and A19 Pro will likely be mass produced on the improved 3nm 'N3P' node. Based on this launch timeline, we speculate that the M5 will also take advantage of TSMC's N3P technology, but much can change as time progresses. Kuo states that the chipset upgrade will deliver an improved Apple Intelligence experience, and the lack of an extensive design change or switch in specifications means that the technology giant will save a hefty sum in production costs. It makes less sense to introduce a design overhaul to the Apple Vision Pro 2, especially when the first iteration already looks premium and futuristic compared to the competition. In his Medium blog post, Kuo points out that the current Apple Vision Pro cannot present an intuitive and efficient user experience, so integrating Apple Intelligence is necessary to alleviate this problem. Furthermore, the Apple Vision Pro 2 can be integrated with better eye tracking and gesture control, which will upgrade its spatial computing capabilities. The analyst did not mention a potential launch year for the second-generation AR headset, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously stated that we should not expect it before the end of 2026. With the low-cost model reportedly arriving sometime in 2025, its low price stands to deliver a more attractive proposition with buyers, and that may cannibalize Apple Vision Pro 2 sales if it launches in the same year.

Apple Vision Pro 2 just tipped for huge performance upgrade

Apple's follow-up to the Vision Pro headset could enter mass production next year and sport an as-yet-unannounced M5 chipset. It will reportedly keep much of the same design and therefore stick at around the same price, but it could come down. That's according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has reported the real selling point of Apple's next headset will be the integration of Apple Intelligence. Kuo isn't able to predict whether Apple Intelligence will be made available for the current Apple Vision Pro, running on its M2 chip. The existing headset features a 16-core Neural Engine and 16GB of RAM, making it technically capable of Apple's suite of artificial intelligence upgrades. And given that $3,499/£3,499 asking price of the Vision Pro, it would seem churlish for Apple not to make it available. That price is undoubtedly a barrier to entry. Kuo is rather vague here, saying, "Other hardware specs and designs won't change much, which should help lower costs and price points." According to Kuo, the jump from M2 to M5 will let the Vision Pro 2 offer the "best Apple Intelligence user experience" available. What's more, the analyst suggests AI will be the lynchpin to accelerate adoption rate because it will finally offer an innovative user experience. Kuo states that, "if the M5 Vision Pro can integrate something like OpenAI's Sora, it may elevate the user experience of the head-mounted display device to unimaginable levels." The analyst stopped short of predicting an actual launch date for the next generation device. But we could guess that mass production next year might mean a very outside chance we see it unveiled in September or October 2025. However, the more likely timeline is that Apple holds on until WWDC in June 2026 to reveal the Vision Pro 2 -- marking three full years between updates. But during all this time, Apple's competitors won't be standing still. In fact, Meta has just unveiled the Meta Orion prototype AR glasses that, in the words of Tom's Guide's Global Editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer, don't just blow away the Apple Vision Pro -- they could put the iPhone on notice.

Vision Pro 2 with AI and M5 is exactly the right move for Apple - 9to5Mac

The Vision Pro 2 is reportedly coming by the end of next year, packing an M5 chip and built for AI 'from the ground up' (as Apple might say). Here's why this news has me excited, and why I think it's exactly the right move for Apple. We've known for a while that Apple's ambitions for its Vision products are long-term. AR and VR are still in their very early stages of adoption. But the dilemma many tech companies have faced is: how do you build up the technology and platform without having devices out in the wild? So Apple shipped the Vision Pro earlier this year. It hasn't set the world on fire or meaningfully contributed to the company's bottom line. It's arguably too expensive and too heavy. And it's still going to live or die on Apple's 'spatial computer' positioning. But it's real. It's in users' hands. Developers are building apps for it. Technologies like visionOS, Immersive Video, and Spatial photos are growing and expanding. Slowly, the Vision Pro is making a 'spatial computing' future more possible than before. Eventually, Apple wants its Vision products to be a huge hit. The next big thing. It wants spatial computing to be something that everyone does. To get there, though, we need (at minimum) a Vision product that is: That's why reports that Apple's priority is not Vision Pro 2, but rather a cheaper Vision device, make a lot of sense. But while Apple toils away on the don't-call-me-Pro version of its Vision line, it needs to keep Vision Pro on the cutting edge. That's where today's report comes in. Back in June I argued that, while Apple is busy focusing on a cheaper Vision device, it should at least stick an M4 inside the current Vision Pro and call it a day. It sounds like that's more or less exactly what's going to happen. Except it's an M5 instead. The Vision Pro 2 is reportedly going to include an M5 chip and have a heavy Apple Intelligence focus. But if Apple can chip a new Vision Pro in 2025 with an M5 chip and add a bunch of Apple Intelligence features to visionOS 3, it will have done exactly what's needed to keep excitement in the platform. All the while, its priorities can stay fixed on the cheaper Vision product. Because ultimately, it's that other Vision device that has a better chance of wider success. But in the meantime, Vision Pro needs to remain enticing for early adopters and the curious. These rumored changes should help it do just that. What's your reaction to the Vision Pro 2 news? Let us know in the comments.