Apple Slashes 2026 Vision Pro Target, Pivots to Cheaper Model Amid Slowing Sales

Apple Inc. is pumping the brakes on its ambitious spatial computing plans, slashing its 2026 production forecast for the Vision Pro headset by more than half and postponing a high-end successor. The move, driven by slowing sales and manufacturing hurdles, signals a strategic pivot toward a more affordable version slated for release by the end of 2025, according to a report from The Information.

According to the report, which cites people involved in the supply chain, Apple has told suppliers it now expects to produce between 400,000 and 500,000 units in 2026. This is a significant reduction from an earlier internal target of nearly 1 million units. The adjustment reflects cooling demand after the initial launch buzz for the device in early 2024 faded.

Perhaps more telling is the shift in Apple's product roadmap. The company has reportedly put plans for a second-generation, high-end Vision Pro on the back burner. Instead, it's prioritizing the development of a more affordable, cost-reduced version of the first-generation model, codenamed 'N109'. This cheaper device, targeted for a late 2025 release, is expected to retain the Vision Pro's high-resolution displays but may cut costs with fewer cameras, a simpler headband, and lower-spec speakers.

The strategy change is rooted in two core challenges. First, the steep $3,500 price tag has been a major barrier to mass-market adoption. Second, the device is notoriously difficult to manufacture. The complex micro-OLED internal displays, supplied by Sony and OLEDoS, have limited production scalability, creating a significant gap between market hype and manufacturing reality.