Key takeaways
- Apple is reportedly developing a new Vision Pro under the codename N224, with a focus on making it lighter.
- Four design concepts are being tested, including one that moves the chip and battery into an external puck, similar to Meta’s new VR glasses.
- According to Bloomberg, a launch is unlikely before late 2028 or early 2029, and Apple has not confirmed any of it.
A lighter Vision Pro is back on Apple’s roadmap, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter on September 27, he reported that Apple is working on a new headset codenamed N224, a successor that aims to fix the biggest complaint about the current model: it is too heavy to wear comfortably for long.
The project is at an early stage, Apple has not settled on a design, and the reported launch window is still more than two years away. Here is what we know, what is only rumoured, and why it matters for anyone considering a headset today.
In this article: What is N224? · Four designs on the table · A long road to a lighter headset · The Meta factor · Should you buy a Vision Pro now? · FAQ
What is Apple’s N224 project?
N224 is the internal codename for the next major Vision Pro, according to Bloomberg. Unlike the cancelled N100 project, often called “Vision Air”, N224 is not necessarily meant to be a budget model. It may instead be a true successor to the current M5-based Vision Pro, possibly at a lower price but with the flagship experience.
Bloomberg describes the work as being on “life support” while Apple decides which direction to take. That means the project could still change significantly, slip further, or be cancelled.
Four designs on the table
Apple is reportedly evaluating four concepts. Two of them have been described in some detail.
A lighter all-in-one headset
One design keeps the familiar egg-shaped visor of today’s Vision Pro, but Apple is testing plastic, titanium, other metals and new materials to cut weight. Some executives reportedly prefer this approach because it keeps everything in one device.
A headset with an external puck
Another concept moves both the processor and the battery into a separate unit you keep in a pocket, connected by a cable. The headset itself could then be far lighter. The current Vision Pro already uses an external battery pack, so the idea is less radical than it sounds, but moving the chip out as well requires efficient, cool-running hardware. Future A-series iPhone chips are seen as a possible fit.
| Current Vision Pro | N224 (reported) | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M5 | Not decided; A-series chip possible |
| Design | All-in-one with battery pack | Four concepts, incl. external puck |
| Materials | Aluminium and glass | Testing plastic, titanium, other metals |
| Launch | 2024, M5 refresh in 2025 | Late 2028 to early 2029 (reported) |
A long road to a lighter headset
The original Vision Pro launched in the United States in February 2024 at $3,499. Reviewers praised its displays, eye tracking and software, but price and weight kept it a niche product, and it is officially sold in only a limited number of countries.
In October 2025 Apple refreshed the headset with the M5 chip and a more comfortable strap, but without reducing weight. Around the same time, Bloomberg reported that Apple had shelved the lighter N100 project and moved staff to smart glasses. N224 is effectively Apple’s second attempt at the same goal.
The Meta factor
The timing is not a coincidence. Meta recently announced VR glasses that put the computing hardware and battery into a separate puck, making the part you wear on your face dramatically lighter. It is exactly the trade-off Apple is now testing. Apple is also reportedly prioritising display-less smart glasses, which could arrive much sooner than any new Vision Pro.
Should you buy a Vision Pro now?
- If you need it for work or development, the current M5 model is the only option for years, so waiting makes little sense.
- If comfort and price are your main concerns, nothing better from Apple is expected before 2028 at the earliest. Lighter headsets from other brands may suit you better.
- If you are just curious, try a demo first, and treat any N224 details as rumours until Apple announces something.
Lighter Vision Pro FAQ
When will the lighter Vision Pro come out?
According to Bloomberg, not before late 2028 or early 2029. Apple has not announced anything, and the timing could change.
Is N224 the same as the Vision Air?
No. The Vision Air project, N100, was reportedly shelved in 2025. N224 is a new project with a similar goal of reducing weight.
Will the new Vision Pro be cheaper?
Possibly, but it is not confirmed. Reports suggest it may be a flagship successor rather than a budget model.
What is the external puck idea?
Moving the processor and battery into a separate pocket unit so the headset on your face can be much lighter.
Sources: Bloomberg (Mark Gurman, Power On), 9to5Mac, TechCrunch, Lowyat.NET, PhoneArena, Apple.
