Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) previously explored a lighter, lower-cost Vision Pro design that would have relied more heavily on a connected iPhone or Mac to reduce component requirements. According to Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman, the company worked on code-named projects N107 and N109, which featured a faster processor and improved external cameras. However, both projects were shelved as Apple reassessed its headset strategy.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) launched a new device earlier this month priced at $1,299. The Meta headset uses an external computing module containing the processor and battery, a concept similar to the abandoned Apple approach. Gurman tested the device and described it as "blown away" by its comfort and compact design. The Meta glasses weigh one-sixth as much as the Vision Pro and offer approximately three hours of battery life, compared to 2.5 hours for Apple’s device.
Despite the advantages in weight and battery life, Gurman noted that the Meta headset has a narrower field of view, lets in a "noticeable amount of light," and requires manual eye-distance adjustment. In contrast, the Vision Pro has a wider field of view, better video quality, and more advanced chips. Gurman stated that "product development is about trade-offs" and suggested Meta made the right ones for a mass-market product.
Apple is reportedly working on a new smart glasses project, code-named N224, as direct competition to Meta’s Ray-Ban lineup. The plan is to launch the product by the end of next year. If released, the device is unlikely to arrive before late 2028 or early 2029. The project reflects Apple’s renewed exploration of lighter and potentially less expensive headset designs.
