MacRumors Show: Apple's Grand Plan for 5 New Vision Products

This week on the MacRumors show, we discuss Apple's upcoming plans for new Vision products. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed a detailed roadmap for the company through the end of the decade at the end of June, while journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg provided clarifications regarding the new Vision Pro expected this year.

In 2025, we expect an updated Vision Pro (M4) — the first generation with the M4 chip and an improved neural engine. A new strap for greater comfort will likely be the only change. Production is scheduled for the third quarter, with shipments of 150,000-200,000 units this year, keeping the device as a niche product. The second generation is planned to support the market and ecosystem development, as well as to reduce component inventory.

In 2026, Apple does not plan any new Vision products or smart glasses. In 2027, Apple Smart Glasses will debut — the first product in this segment. They will offer several frame and material options for personalization, feature voice control and gesture recognition, but will not have a display. Key functions will include audio playback, photography, video recording, and artificial intelligence for understanding the environment. These glasses could potentially replace AirPods or the iPhone camera in certain situations. Mass production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027, with shipments ranging from three to five million units in the launch year.

Also in 2027, Apple Vision Air will be introduced — a device with a new, significantly lighter design, with over 40% weight reduction compared to Vision Pro. This is achieved through the use of plastic, magnesium alloy, and a reduction in the number of sensors. Vision Air will feature the latest flagship iPhone processor instead of the M-series chip and will be priced significantly lower. Production is planned for the third quarter of 2027.

In 2028, the second generation of Vision Pro will be released — with reduced weight, a new design, and a Mac-level processor. Production is planned for the second half of the year. This year will also see the launch of XR glasses — a more advanced version of smart glasses with a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) color display, waveguide optics, and artificial intelligence. Production of this product is scheduled for the second half of 2028.

While several other brands will release similar products earlier, these devices will remain niche due to early technology. We discuss how these innovations will fit into Apple's lineup and how consumers may respond to them.

In the context of Apple news, we also touch on the company's plans for a foldable iPhone, considering Samsung's recent announcement of the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7. The MacRumors show has its own channel on YouTube and podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast. You can subscribe to stay updated on new episodes and clips, and also copy our RSS feed into your listening app.

If you haven't listened to previous episodes yet, we recommend catching up, for example, with the discussion on Apple's plans for an affordable MacBook with an iPhone chip. Subscribe to the weekly podcast where we discuss current news, invite interesting guests like Kevin Nether, Mark Gurman, John Gruber, and many others. We also invite interaction on the forum and encourage leaving feedback and suggestions for future topics and guests.