Apple Ends Vision Pro Production, Shifts Focus to AI Glasses

Apple has halted production of its Vision Pro headset after selling approximately 600,000 units, redirecting its efforts toward AI-powered smart glasses. The company’s new CEO, John Ternus, approved a streamlined product roadmap that eliminates six of the seven glasses projects previously in development, leaving only two devices planned for release.

Previously, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that Apple was working on seven different headset and glasses models, including three Vision-series devices and four smart glasses. Under Ternus’s direction, this number has been reduced to two products. The Vision Pro line has been discontinued, and its intended successor, the Vision Air, has been postponed to a 2028 or 2029 release.

The primary focus now lies on a pair of AI glasses without displays, internally known as N50, which are expected to launch in late 2027. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the delay from an earlier planned release is due to Siri’s underdeveloped visual AI capabilities. Apple aims to avoid launching hardware whose key feature—intelligent context-awareness—is compromised by immature software, a problem that affected the Vision Pro.

The N50 glasses will feature cameras, microphones, and on-device AI to interpret the environment and provide voice-based information. This device resembles Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses but centers on Siri integration. Unlike immersive headsets, these glasses will not include displays or screens. Although Apple has not confirmed pricing, supply chain sources suggest a range between $200 and $500.

The second device, Vision Air, will incorporate optical waveguide displays to overlay text and visuals onto the user’s view, representing Apple’s augmented reality ambitions. However, this product requires additional engineering to address challenges related to weight, battery life, and cost, delaying its release until later in the decade.

Apple’s decision to discontinue the Vision Pro and focus on more modest wearable technologies reflects a broader industry understanding that fully immersive headsets have yet to achieve mass-market appeal. Despite significant investment and early entry, Apple’s sales fell short compared to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration, prompting a strategic reset toward devices consumers are more likely to adopt in 2027.

Privacy concerns persist regarding always-on cameras embedded in everyday glasses, which are expected to attract scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission and privacy advocates before the N50’s launch. Apple has not publicly addressed issues related to data retention or the potential use of visual data for advertising purposes.