Apple's next Vision Pro could look more like Meta's VR glasses

Apple is reportedly reconsidering the design of its future Vision Pro headsets, potentially shifting toward a lighter, external-compute model similar to Meta's upcoming VR glasses. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring a project code-named N224, which would move processing components into an external module to reduce weight. This follows criticism of the original Vision Pro's bulk and high price point. Despite the shift in philosophy, the project faces internal pushback and is unlikely to launch before 2028. Apple has previously explored and abandoned several iterations of lighter or offloaded-compute headsets, including the 'Vision Air.' With the hardware team undergoing restructuring and leadership shifts, Apple appears to be prioritizing simpler smart glasses while it evaluates the viability of a redesigned VR headset. Meta's recent move to prioritize comfort and affordability has set a new industry benchmark that Apple is now struggling to match.