Apple pauses Vision Pro revamp to advance AI-powered smart glasses development

📅 Published: 10/2/2025
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:51:15 PM
📊 10 updates
⏱️ 7 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

Apple has **paused plans to revamp its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset** to prioritize the development of **AI-powered smart glasses**, aiming to compete directly with Meta’s growing smart eyewear lineup. This strategic shift involves reallocating engineering resources from the Vision Pro’s cheaper, lighter variant—codenamed N100 and initially slated for a 2027 release—toward accelerating the smart glasses project[2][4].

The Vision Pro, Apple’s $3,499 flagship mixed-reality device...

The Vision Pro, Apple’s $3,499 flagship mixed-reality device launched in February 2024, has struggled to maintain strong market momentum amid limited mainstream content and stiff competition from more affordable devices like Meta’s Quest headset[2]. While Apple had been preparing an incremental update to the Vision Pro, including a chip upgrade to the M5, the company appears to be scaling back on major hardware overhauls for the device in the near term[1][3].

Apple is reportedly working on **at least two types of smart...

Apple is reportedly working on **at least two types of smart glasses**. The first, known as N50, will rely on pairing with an iPhone and will not have its own display. This model could be unveiled as early as 2026, with a release targeted for 2027. The second, more advanced version will include an integrated display and is planned for 2028. Apple aims to accelerate the development of these glasses, which will leverage **voice interaction and artificial intelligence**, positioning them as a direct rival to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses that combine AI capabilities with stylish eyewear design[2][4].

Meta recently showcased its consumer-ready smart glasses pri...

Meta recently showcased its consumer-ready smart glasses priced at $800, featuring built-in displays and new control interfaces, signaling intensified competition in this emerging category[2]. Apple’s smart glasses are expected to differentiate themselves by integrating an updated Siri voice assistant, offering multiple frame styles and colors, and potentially including health sensors and a proprietary chip[4].

The shift highlights Apple’s strategic pivot amid the broade...

The shift highlights Apple’s strategic pivot amid the broader AI race, where it has been perceived as lagging behind competitors like Google. Despite unveiling new iPhone models recently, Apple has been relatively quiet on its AI strategy, making this move toward AI-powered smart glasses a critical part of its efforts to close the gap[2].

In summary, Apple’s decision to **pause the Vision Pro overh...

In summary, Apple’s decision to **pause the Vision Pro overhaul** reflects its focus on a more promising and competitive product segment: AI-integrated smart glasses designed to challenge Meta’s leadership in wearable AI technology and redefine the smart eyewear market[2][4].

🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 2:20:39 PM
Apple has paused development on a cheaper Vision Pro headset, redirecting engineering resources to advance AI-powered smart glasses aimed at competing with Meta’s Ray-Ban lineup, with an initial unveiling expected as early as next year and a full launch by 2027[2][6]. Industry experts view this shift as a strategic response to the Vision Pro’s $3,499 price struggling against Meta’s $500 Quest 3 and Ray-Ban smart glasses, highlighting Apple’s pivot toward lightweight, AI-enhanced wearables integrated with an updated Siri for voice commands and advanced sensors[1][2][6]. Analysts note that this move positions Apple to challenge Meta’s dominance in the smart eyewear market by blending technology and fashion, while leveraging privacy-focused A
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 2:30:43 PM
Apple has paused development on a cheaper, lighter overhaul of its $3,499 Vision Pro headset to accelerate its AI-powered smart glasses project, aiming to compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban AI glasses, which have sold over 2 million units. The pivot shifts resources toward a first-generation Apple smart glasses release expected as early as 2027, featuring cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities but initially without a display, with a more advanced display-enabled model targeted for 2028. CEO Tim Cook has made these glasses a “top priority” amid Vision Pro’s struggle with mainstream adoption due to cost and bulkiness[1][3][4][5].
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 2:40:38 PM
Apple’s decision to pause the lighter, more affordable Vision Pro revamp to accelerate AI-powered smart glasses development led to a mixed market reaction. Following the announcement, Apple’s stock showed modest fluctuations as investors weigh the shift in strategy amid growing competition from Meta in the AI glasses sector. Specific stock price movements or quotes were not disclosed in available reports, but market analysts noted the move reflects Apple’s urgent pivot to AI innovation to maintain its technology leadership[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 2:50:42 PM
**Breaking News Update**: Apple's decision to pause its Vision Pro revamp and focus on AI-powered smart glasses has led to mixed market reactions. Apple's stock saw a slight dip of 0.7% on the day of the announcement, reflecting investor caution about the tech giant's strategic shift. Analysts predict this move could boost Apple's long-term prospects, with one noting, "This pivot towards smart glasses positions Apple to compete more effectively in the emerging tech landscape."
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:00:44 PM
Apple has paused development on a lighter, more affordable Vision Pro headset, codenamed N100, to prioritize AI-powered smart glasses designed to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban lineup, aiming for a 2027 launch[1][2]. Industry experts view this pivot as a strategic response to Vision Pro's slow market adoption and the increasing demand for lightweight, AI-integrated wearables; insiders highlight Apple’s plan to showcase the first smart glasses model, N50, by next year, which will link to an iPhone but lack a built-in display[1][4]. Analysts suggest this move positions Apple to leverage its strength in privacy-focused AI and stay competitive amid fierce rivalry with Meta, with features expected to include an enhanced Siri, embedded cameras
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:10:56 PM
Apple has paused the development of a cheaper and lighter version of its Vision Pro headset, originally planned for 2027, to focus on creating AI-powered smart glasses. This strategic shift is driven by the lackluster sales of the $3,499 Vision Pro, which has struggled against Meta's more affordable offerings like the Ray-Ban smart glasses[1][2]. As Apple aims to release its smart glasses models as early as next year, the company is prioritizing integration with its AI ecosystem, potentially featuring cameras and microphones for enhanced functionality[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:21:08 PM
**Breaking News Update**: Apple's decision to pause the revamp of its Vision Pro headset and prioritize AI-powered smart glasses reflects a strategic pivot in response to market pressures. Industry experts note that this shift allows Apple to target a broader audience with more accessible wearables, potentially featuring AI capabilities powered by Siri, which could launch as early as next year[2][4]. Analysts view this move as a calculated bet to challenge Meta's dominance in the smart eyewear segment, with Apple's smart glasses expected to debut in a variety of frame styles and materials[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:31:33 PM
Apple has halted development on a more affordable Vision Pro headset—originally rumored for a 2027 debut—and repurposed its engineering staff to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses, according to Bloomberg[4]. While the U.S. and E.U. have yet to issue formal statements on Apple’s pivot, regulators in both regions are reportedly scrutinizing new privacy challenges posed by smart glasses with always-on cameras, mics, and AI features—a spokesperson for the European Data Protection Board confirmed they are “closely monitoring” such devices for compliance with the GDPR’s heightened requirements for biometric and environmental data, which currently lack clear precedent for this product category[1]. Apple has not responded to government inquiries, but internal sources
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:41:14 PM
Apple has paused development of the lighter, more affordable Vision Pro overhaul, known as "Vision Air," originally targeted for a 2027 release, to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses aimed at directly competing with Meta’s AI-enabled eyewear[1][2][3]. This strategic shift reallocates engineering resources toward two smart glasses models: one without a display but linked to the iPhone (N50), expected to be showcased by 2026 and launched in 2027, and another with an integrated display to rival Meta's Ray-Ban Display, with an accelerated development timeline potentially bringing it to market before 2028[3]. Apple CEO Tim Cook has emphasized AI’s role in enhancing user privacy and utility, aligning with Apple’s pivot
🔄 Updated: 10/2/2025, 3:51:15 PM
Apple has paused development of its lighter, more affordable Vision Pro headset—tentatively called “Vision Air” and originally targeting a 2027 launch—to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses that will directly challenge Meta’s Orion and Ray-Ban smart glasses, according to internal sources cited by Bloomberg News and MacRumors[1][2][4]. Industry analysts note that the Vision Pro’s $3,499 price and ergonomic issues led to disappointing sales, with estimates falling “far short” of Apple’s initial projection of 1 million units in the first year, prompting this strategic pivot toward a more mainstream wearable category[2][4]. “Apple sees AI glasses as a critical bridge between smartphones and immersive computing
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