Apple Inc. has reportedly cancelled its development of the lower-cost mixed-reality headset known as the “Vision Air” (codenamed N100) to focus instead on smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence. According to multiple reports, the decision follows strong momentum in smart eyewear from Meta Platforms and internal evaluations at Apple.
The Vision Air was intended as a lighter, more affordable alternative to Apple’s existing Apple Vision Pro headset. However, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman reported that Apple has informed staff that it is redirecting resources from the Vision Air project toward two new smart-glasses lines.
One of those smart-glasses models (codenamed N50) is expected to function as a companion to the iPhone without its own embedded display, and could launch as soon as next year with full release aimed by 2027. The second model is intended to include an integrated display and is being accelerated ahead of its previous timeline (originally around 2028).
The shift comes as Apple’s Vision Pro headset – launched February 2024 at a $3,499 price point – has reportedly struggled to gain broad market adoption. The device has been described as heavy, expensive and over-engineered for many users. Meanwhile, Meta’s eyewear efforts (including its partnership with Ray‑Ban) have achieved multi-million unit sales, placing pressure on Apple’s hardware roadmap in the extended-reality segment.
By shelving the Vision Air, Apple’s strategy appears to pivot away from attempting a mass-market version of its current headset and instead focus on smart glasses as the next step in wearable computing. Some industry watchers interpret the move as Apple conceding the near-term mixed-reality headset space to competitors, and reallocating efforts to devices that may appeal more broadly.
Apple has not publicly commented on the internal shift or confirmed the projects and timelines. The company is still expected to deliver a modest upgrade to Vision Pro’s chip later this year, but the major development efforts have reportedly been repurposed.
