• Apple brings Apple Intelligence AI to the Vision Pro headset.
• Plans for a second-generation model are on hold.

Apple looks set to give its Vision Pro headset a much-needed boost. The company is reportedly working on a visionOS 2.4 update that could drop as early as April, and it’s bringing some exciting upgrades along for the ride.

Developers might even get an early look this week if all goes to plan, according to people familiar with the matter.

Bloomberg reports that Apple Intelligence is finally on its way to the Vision Pro. This is the first time Apple’s AI tools have gone beyond the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Users can expect familiar features like Writing Tools, Genmojis, and the Image Playground app. Thanks to the headset’s Mac M2 chip and 16GB of memory, it’s got the muscle for on-device AI processing.

The timing is right on cue – or, at least, highly competitive. Google recently unveiled its Android XR mixed-reality operating system, which has its Gemini AI baked into the user interface. Samsung is apparently preparing to release a headset based on Google’s new platform later this year, with more than a passing resemblance to Apple’s Vision Pro.

However, there’s no doubt that Apple’s mixed-reality journey has had its challenges. Over the past year, reports have surfaced that the Vision Pro hasn’t exactly flown off the shelves – hardly surprising given its $3,500 price tag. Even Apple’s CEO Tim Cook admitted the headset is more of an “early-adopter product,” built for those who want to experience “tomorrow’s technology today.” Rumours have suggested that Apple might already be winding down production, with plans to stop making the current Vision Pro model by the end of 2025. For the time being, Apple looks to have enough units to match demand, but what’s next?

Apple is, unsurprisingly, staying quiet on future plans. But behind the scenes, the company’s roadmap seems to be shifting. While there was an early buzz about a second-generation Vision Pro with more advanced features, work on that model has reportedly been paused. Apple’s focus has apparently shifted to developing a more affordable version – something closer in price to a high-end iPhone. That, however, is still a long way off. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo don’t expect a lower-cost headset until 2027 at the earliest, as Apple is still figuring out how to bring down costs without compromising on display quality.

That’s not to say nothing new is coming. Apple is said to be working on a minor refresh of the Vision Pro, possibly featuring its upcoming M5 chip – a step up from the current M2 processor. The M5 could bring improvements like Apple Intelligence and perhaps a more capable Siri. That said, this refresh isn’t expected to bring any major design changes. Apple is likely reusing many components from the first-gen headset to clear out extra inventory, so it’s unlikely to tempt existing Vision Pro users into an upgrade.

There’s been speculation about 5G connectivity making its way into future models, powered by Apple’s in-house modem chip. However, such an upgrade might be saved for a full-fledged second-generation device further down the road.

Meanwhile, the visionOS 2.4 update isn’t all about AI. Apple is also launching a spatial content app to showcase 3D photos and panoramas. Content for the Vision Pro has been a little underwhelming so far, so this new app could finally give users something compelling to explore. As a bonus, Apple is dropping an immersive arctic surfing video on its TV app for the headset on February 21.

Siri fans might need to manage their expectations, as there are no major changes this time around. However, OpenAI’s ChatGPT is being integrated into the Writing Tools feature, providing a boost in capability. Apple had wanted to release a bigger Siri AI update alongside this latest update, but last-minute engineering issues have reportedly delayed those plans.

Another practical upgrade is coming in the form of guest mode. Apple is making it easier for Vision Pro owners to let friends and family try the headset. For the first time, users will be able to set up guest access from their iPhone, choosing which apps guests can use. Previously, this all had to be managed directly on the headset, so the tweak should make sharing the $3,500 device a little less of a hassle.

And while the Vision Pro is Apple’s main focus for now, the company’s ambitions in augmented reality have been going beyond headsets. Apple had been working on AR glasses that would connect to a Mac, but that project was scrapped earlier this year. The idea isn’t dead, though: Apple reportedly still hopes to create lightweight AR glasses that work independently from a computer – but it’s waiting for the necessary technology to evolve.

What does all this mean for the Vision Pro? It’s clear Apple isn’t giving up on its mixed-reality vision. The upcoming update is a step forward, and the rumoured M5 refresh could offer a little more power under the hood. But the real game changer might be a lower-cost model down the road – one that could finally bring Apple’s mixed-reality technology to a wider audience. For the time being, however, the Vision Pro remains a look into the future – albeit one that comes at a hefty price tag.

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