Apple pauses cheaper Vision Pro, shifts to lightweight AI glasses

Apple has paused work on a planned cheaper, lighter version of its Vision Pro headset and reassigned engineers to accelerate development of smart glasses, company officials and people briefed on the plans said. The shift, announced internally last week, signals a strategic move toward lightweight, AI-enabled eyewear that would pair more closely with the iPhone and compete with existing smart glasses on the market.

According to people familiar with the matter, Apple is developing at least two distinct glasses. The first will pair with an iPhone and omit a built-in display, relying on voice interaction, on-device artificial intelligence, and speakers and cameras for input and output. That model could be unveiled as soon as next year and reach the market in 2027. A second version with a built-in display is also in development and is expected to follow about a year later. Both designs are said to include speakers, cameras, voice controls, and exploration of health-tracking features.

The reallocation of staff affects a project internally codenamed N100, a downsized Vision Pro variant that had been targeted for 2027. Apple is reportedly still planning other Vision Pro work, including...