Apple halts work on a lighter version of Vision Pro to accelerate smart glasses development.

Apple has halted work on a cheaper and lighter version of the Vision Pro to focus on developing new smart glasses. The company aims to accelerate their creation to better compete with Meta. There were rumors about a lightweight and affordable variant called "Vision Air," which was planned for launch in 2027, but now engineers are redirecting their efforts to a new smart glasses project. Apple is working on devices that can compete with Meta's Ray-Bans, equipped with cameras, microphones, and artificial intelligence. They may debut as early as next year, with a launch planned for 2027.

The first models will not feature a display, but the company is developing another option with a built-in display. Initially, a device with a display was set to be unveiled in 2028, but Apple is now trying to speed up this process due to competition from Meta. Last year, Meta introduced Ray-Ban Display — glasses with a high-quality color display in the lenses that show messages, images, and information from Meta AI. These glasses look like regular ones and are the first step towards Meta's AR glasses "Orion."

Meta showcased its AR glasses last year, which have thick bodies with dual displays. Both Apple and Meta are striving to create lightweight augmented reality glasses in the future. Meta has already released several Ray-Ban variants in 2023 and has more advanced AI products than Apple.

The main feature of Apple's smart glasses will be AI and voice control, which will require the next generation of Siri. The launch of Siri has been delayed due to unmet expectations regarding the functionality of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18. The updated version of Siri is expected to arrive in spring 2026.

Apple plans to release the first models with various materials and frames to make them a stylish accessory. Buyers will be able to choose colors and frame styles. They will feature an internal chip designed by Apple but will remain dependent on a connection to the iPhone. Functionality will include cameras, microphones, and health monitoring capabilities.

Although work on the lighter version of the Vision Pro is currently paused, Apple plans to update the current model with the M5 chip later this year.