Apple pivots from Vision Pro to two smart glasses designs

Apple has redirected engineering resources from a planned lighter, lower-cost revision of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset to prioritize development of a new line of smart glasses, people familiar with the matter said. The move, disclosed this year, shifts focus to at least two smart-glasses designs: a displayless model that pairs with an iPhone and a version with an integrated display. Company insiders say the displayless model, internally codenamed N50, could be unveiled as soon as 2026 and reach retail in 2027, while the display-equipped device, previously targeted for 2028, may be expedited.

The company’s decision reflects persistent criticisms of the Vision Pro related to its weight, complexity, and high price, and follows modest consumer uptake since the headset’s launch. Executives and engineers redirected to the smart-glasses project are said to be working to deliver a product that is smaller, lighter, and more affordable than full headsets, which the company views as having broader consumer appeal.

The two smart-glasses concepts differ in ambition and functionality. The N50 model would not contain its own visual display and would instead rely on an iPhone for...