Apple's next Vision headset reportedly on "life support"
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports the N224 project could be delayed to 2028-2029 or shelved amid weak Vision Pro sales.
What to know
- Apple's next-generation Vision headset (codenamed N224) is reportedly on "life support" as the company reconsiders its mixed reality strategy.
- The Vision Pro's $4,000 price and weak retail sales — reportedly as low as one unit sold per store per month — are driving the reassessment.
- Multiple prior Vision hardware projects (N107, Vision Air/N100, N109, and a wireless accessory) have already been cancelled.
- If development continues, the next headset would not launch until late 2028 or early 2029, with engineers still weighing four possible designs.
“most likely just a stepping stone”
John Ternus, Apple hardware chief (reported private remark) · iPhone in Canada, citing Bloomberg Power On · Sep 26
John Ternus Apple hardware chief (CEO track)Johny Srouji Apple chief hardware officerFletcher Rothkopf Apple hardware engineerTom Marieb Apple hardware executivePaul Meade Former Apple Vision hardware leadMark Gurman Bloomberg reporter
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Gizmodo republishes the "life support" report
Gizmodo picked up and republished the report on the Vision headset project's uncertain status.
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background
Ternus's public optimism contrasts with reported private doubts — John Ternus has publicly emphasized a "bright future" for Vision hardware while reportedly privately describing the current headset line as "most likely just a stepping stone" toward standalone AR glasses.
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background
Report details four candidate designs and past cancellations — Engineers are reportedly exploring four designs, including a Meta-style external computing pack that some senior leaders think creates a poor user experience versus an all-in-one headset; previous projects N107, Vision Air (N100), and N109 were cancelled, and a Mac Studio-sized wireless accessory was killed by Apple's design team.
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background
Gurman reports N224 headset project on "life support" — Bloomberg's Power On newsletter first reported that Apple's next Vision headset (N224) faces an uncertain future, with the company weighing whether the product line can gain wider adoption; if it proceeds, it would not arrive until late 2028 or early 2029.
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background
Paul Meade departs for OpenAI amid Vision reorg — Under CEO John Ternus, Vision hardware leadership was reorganized with Johny Srouji as chief hardware officer and Fletcher Rothkopf reporting to Tom Marieb; Paul Meade left for OpenAI after his role was reduced, and Apple has laid off staff.
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background
Apple launches Vision Pro at $4,000 — The headset launched with a premium price tag but has struggled to reach mainstream buyers, with retail employees reportedly saying many stores are "lucky to sell one unit a month."
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by Gizmodo, 22h ago · also iPhone in Canada
1 more headline
- Apple’s Next Vision Headset on ‘Life Support,’ Says Report iphoneincanada.ca · 13h ago