Apple’s ambitious Vision Pro successor, internally known as N224, is reportedly on life support as the company debates radical hardware shifts, including the possible addition of an external computing puck to reduce weight. The internal uncertainty comes as Meta prepares to launch a lightweight rival device in the spring.
Apple’s next-generation mixed-reality headset is facing an uncertain future inside the company. Development on the device, designated internally as N224, has been placed on what insiders describe as life support. While senior leaders on the Vision team have pressed executives to keep the hardware category funded and growing, the project may never reach consumers. If Apple decides to move forward, the headset likely won’t arrive before late 2028 or early 2029.
Internal Debate Over the External Computing Puck Design
The central point of contention within Apple involves how to solve the persistent issue of physical bulk. The engineering team is actively exploring four distinct concepts for the N224 project. One of those concepts involves moving major internal components out of the headset entirely and housing them in an external module, similar to Meta’s upcoming VR Glasses.
That external computing module would store the main processor and battery, clipping to a user’s waist to relieve facial strain. According to reports, the module resembles the current Vision Pro battery pack in size and weight, but features a grippy exterior. However, senior decision-makers at Apple have historically viewed the external puck concept as a poor user experience
, preferring to maintain an all-in-one hardware philosophy. This division has created deep internal friction over whether to compromise on design purity for the sake of comfort.
Leadership Changes and Shifting Corporate Priorities
Corporate restructuring has also altered the trajectory of Apple’s spatial computing ambitions. The Vision Products Group previously reported directly to John Ternus, who has since become CEO. Oversight now sits under Chief Hardware Officer Johny Srouji, placing the headset division a layer further removed from the chief executive.
Despite the internal hurdles, leadership public commentary remains measured. Ternus recently described the current Vision Pro as an absolutely amazing device
while comparing its current market standing to the infancy of personal computing. At the same time, broader corporate resources are increasingly gravitating toward lightweight smart glasses, a category Apple aims to enter in late 2027.
Market Pressures From Meta and Material Experiments
Apple’s hardware recalibration is unfolding against rapid moves from competitors. Meta recently unveiled a lightweight headset featuring an external waist-clipped puck, scheduled for a spring release.
To counter these ergonomic challenges, Apple engineers are experimenting with alternative materials, including titanium, various metals, and plastics, in an effort to deliver a completely revamped
chassis that is both lighter and less expensive than the first-generation hardware.
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