Apple’s pattern of introducing and discontinuing products has been evident over the years. The iPhone 12 mini, for example, was launched in November 2020 and ceased production in September 2023, following a similar trend with other products. Recent reports indicate that Apple has paused the development of its Vision Pro headset, which received updates in October 2025 with enhancements like the faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band.
The decision to halt the Vision Pro project may come as a surprise to some, but the headset struggled to gain popularity since its initial release due to its high price and bulky design. Reports suggest that despite selling approximately 600,000 units, the return rate for the Vision Pro exceeded that of any other recent Apple product.
With the upcoming change in Apple’s leadership, as the current CEO prepares to step down on September 1 with John Ternus set to take over, the company seems to have put the Vision Pro project on hold for the foreseeable future.
Team members working on the Vision Pro have reportedly been reassigned to other projects within Apple following the project’s suspension. Some have transitioned to the Siri team, now led by former Vision Pro head Mike Rockwell since March 2025.
Although there were speculations about a lighter and more affordable version of the Vision Pro in the works, recent reports confirm that this project was also canceled last year.
Renowned journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has corroborated the reports, stating that the Vision Pro project has been scaled back, including plans for a cheaper variant. The product is currently on hold as Apple evaluates its future prospects, leaving room for a potential comeback in the future.
While the Vision Pro may have been shelved temporarily, Apple is not abandoning the mixed-reality space entirely. The company is reportedly focusing on developing smart glasses, possibly incorporating augmented reality features in the future. The initial iteration is expected to resemble Ray-Ban Meta glasses, featuring AI capabilities without an integrated display.
Despite the setbacks, there remains optimism that the Apple Vision Pro could see a revival. Reports suggest that while the current version may have reached its limits, the project is still under the supervision of Mike Rockwell, indicating ongoing software support. Apple seems to be biding its time for technological advancements before potentially launching a second-generation model or smart glasses, drawing parallels to the development timeline of the Apple Watch under Jony Ive’s leadership.
In conclusion, Apple’s strategic decisions regarding the Vision Pro project reflect the company’s commitment to innovation and anticipation of future technological advancements. The journey of the Vision Pro, although currently paused, hints at potential developments in the realm of spatial computing and wearable technology in the future.