Apple's Vision Pro headset, which debuted to much anticipation, might soon face a significant reduction in production, or even a complete halt, according to a new report from The Information. Sources within Apple's supply chain say that production of the Vision Pro was scaled back over the summer, and there is a possibility that assembly could stop entirely by the end of 2024.
The Vision Pro, while groundbreaking, is not a mass-market device, which has posed challenges for Apple's usual high-volume supply chain. With fewer-than-expected sales, Apple may already have enough headsets to cover demand for the foreseeable future. Reports suggest that suppliers have produced enough components to make around 600,000 headsets, though Apple has sold just 370,000 units so far in 2024.
Luxshare, the company assembling the Vision Pro, has reportedly cut daily production by half to about 1,000 units per day. Apple may halt assembly as early as November, with around 200,000 headsets already sitting in storage.
One major reason for the pullback is Apple's shift in focus towards a cheaper model, aimed at consumers, which is expected to launch in 2026 at a price point of $2,000. This more affordable version could feature lower-resolution displays and drop some premium features, like Eyesight. Apple is also working on a second-gen Vision Pro set to launch in the second half of 2025.
These decisions point to Apple refining its augmented reality strategy. There is speculation that Apple may eventually introduce more accessible smart glasses, perhaps akin to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration, or aim for the "Holy Grail" of AR spectacles—fully immersive yet lightweight and stylish.
For now, Vision Pro’s future seems uncertain as Apple assesses the next steps for its AR/VR ambitions.
