Apple Drops AR Smart Glasses Project, Shifts Focus to Vision Pro
Apple has reportedly halted the development of its AR smart glasses that were designed to work with Mac computers. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the project, codenamed N107, was intended to be Apple’s most ambitious wearable since the Apple Vision Pro. However, with Apple pulling the plug, it appears that Vision Pro will remain the company’s only AR/VR device for now.
Why Apple Shelved the AR Glasses Project
The AR smart glasses were initially envisioned as a lightweight wearable with a built-in display, seamlessly connecting to Mac computers.
✔ Original Plan: The device was first intended to pair with iPhones, but technical limitations in CPU power and battery life forced Apple to shift focus toward a Mac-compatible version.
✔ Project Termination: Apple has now indefinitely suspended the project, citing technical challenges and practical limitations.
Key Challenges Leading to Cancellation
🔹 Processing Power & Battery Life Issues – Unlike the Apple Vision Pro, which operates as a standalone spatial computer, the AR glasses required a Mac for processing power. This dependency may have made the device less practical for everyday use.
🔹 Cost & Market Feasibility – Apple had positioned the AR glasses as a more affordable alternative to the bulky Vision Pro, which retails at $3,499 (₹3 lakh). However, engineering constraints and production costs made the glasses difficult to commercialize.
🔹 Competition in the AR Space – While Apple has paused its AR hardware expansion, competitors like Meta and Snap continue to push forward with AR glasses. Meta, for instance, is working on a device codenamed Orion, expected to launch in 2027—around the same time Apple is rumored to introduce the Vision Pro 2.
Apple’s AR/VR Future: What Comes Next?
Despite this setback, Apple remains committed to AR/VR innovations. Industry insiders suggest that the company is likely to focus on refining future versions of the Vision Pro rather than developing Mac-connected AR glasses.
✔ Vision Pro 2 in Development – Apple is expected to introduce a successor to the Vision Pro in 2026 or 2027, with improvements in processing power, weight reduction, and battery efficiency.
✔ Advancing Apple Intelligence – The company’s AI and machine learning advancements could enhance future AR experiences across Apple’s ecosystem.
✔ New AR Wearables? – While Apple’s glasses project has been shelved, the tech giant may explore alternative wearable AR devices in the future.
For now, Apple remains tight-lipped about its long-term AR hardware roadmap. Unless a new product is ready for an official launch, the company is unlikely to reveal details about its next AR move.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
