The Vision Pro expanded Apple's footprint into augmented / virtual reality (AR/VR). However, the company's foray into mixed reality met with, well, mixed reactions and is largely considered to be a public beta of sorts. The headset as such has seen meager sales and a high return rate, its hefty $3,500 taxes price tag notwithstanding.

We've been hearing rumors that Apple may turn its focus towards a cheaper Vision Pro alternative, while a Vision Pro 2 could very well be in development. Now, known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates what the Vision Pro 2 might entail.

According to Kuo, the Vision Pro 2 is expected to enter mass production in 2H25. The upcoming headset will be powered by the M5 chip (up from the current M2 SoC) and will bring Apple Intelligence smarts to spatial computing.

Kuo expects the rest of the hardware to remain identical to the current iteration in order to keep costs at least similar to the present offering. Apple Intelligence could play a major role in significantly enhancing human-computer interaction (HCI) such as eye tracking and gesture control for a more cohesive spatial computing experience. Kuo feels that Apple Intelligence on the Vision Pro 2 will be more tangible than even on the iPhone.

The analyst cites an example of potential integration with OpenAI's Sora that can enable immersive text-to-video experiences than what is possible on phones and other consumer electronics.

Finally, Kuo expects the current supply chain to continue for the M5 Vision Pro 2 as well and that includes suppliers like Zhaowei, which supplied the Vision Pro's inter-pupillary distance (IPD) electric focus adjustment drive system.

That being said, affordability, availability, and wide app support will dictate the Vision Pro's success. Apple will have an uphill challenge to take on the likes of the Meta that just announced several interesting offerings at Meta Connect last week, including the Quest 3Sstarting from $299, Orion AR glasses prototype, new AI enhancements coming to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and a permanentprice-cut for the Quest 3.

Buy the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer smart glass on Amazon