Vision Pro didn’t just underperform—it flopped. Now Apple is racing to launch Vision Air, a cheaper and lighter mixed reality headset, to avoid a complete collapse of its spatial computing push.
For a product pitched as Apple’s gateway into the future of augmented reality, Vision Pro failed to connect. Sales dragged, interest faded, and the price? $3,499 was a bold bet that didn’t pay off.
The company isn’t wasting time. Reports indicate Vision Air could hit the market by the end of this year. That’s not 2026. That’s now. This isn’t a leisurely product cycle—it’s damage control.
Vision Air: Not a replacement, but a reset
Let’s be clear. Vision Air isn’t just a lighter version of the Vision Pro. It’s Apple’s attempt to make the entire Vision lineup viable again. According to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, Apple is pushing hard to get this headset out before 2025, possibly alongside the new M5 MacBook Pro.
All signs point to the lighter model arriving between the end of this year and the first half of 2026.
Apple knows exactly what went wrong: the Vision Pro priced itself out of relevance. No one wants to drop thousands on a headset unless it completely changes how they work or play. And Vision Pro didn’t.
Pricing will make or break Vision Air
We’re not talking about an ultra-budget device, but Apple understands that $1,500–$2,500 is the battleground. That’s where Meta is winning, and Apple is losing. If Vision Air lands near that price point, it has a shot. Go any higher, and it’s just another Vision Pro with a new name.
Still, don’t expect a miracle. Apple never plays in the bargain bin. A sub-$1,000 Vision headset? Fantasy. But under $2,000? That’s a fight Apple can win.
Despite the first version selling poorly, the company isn’t abandoning ship here.
No, it’s doubling down—only this time, it’s coming back with something people might actually want.
Why Apple can’t afford to wait
This isn’t just about salvaging hardware. Apple bet big on developers building immersive apps for VisionOS. That ecosystem won’t grow without users. No users, no apps. No apps, no future. That’s why Vision Air matters.
Apple’s shift is strategic. They’re not giving up on the dream—they’re trying to make it real. Fast.
Vision Air vs Vision Pro: What to expect
Don’t expect identical specs. The Air model will likely ditch some of the Vision Pro’s high-end sensors and displays. Maybe fewer cameras. Maybe lower resolution. What it keeps, though, is the ambition.
Tethering to a Mac? Possible. Lighter build? Definitely. This isn’t a toy. It’s Apple repositioning mixed reality not as a luxury, but as a product line with a future.
The main uncertainty is whether the lighter version will be considered a replacement for the Vision Pro or a cheaper alternative.
That uncertainty won’t last long. When Vision Air drops, the public will decide what it really is.
Don’t count Apple out
Vision Pro was a misfire. But Apple learns fast. Vision Air is a direct response to the market’s brutal honesty. The company is already moving past pride and toward pragmatism. Vision Air doesn’t need to be revolutionary. It just needs to work, feel good, and come in under $2,000.
If it does, Apple’s not just back in the game—it’s leading again.
