Years ago, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) explored a lighter, cheaper Vision Pro design. Now, Mark Gurman says the company abandoned the approach only to see Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) turn a similar concept into a mass-market product.
Apple Scrapped Lighter Vision Pro Design
Over the weekend, in his latest Power On newsletter, the Bloomberg columnist said Apple previously explored a lower-cost Vision headset, code-named N107, that could have relied more heavily on a connected iPhone or Mac to reduce the processing and component requirements of the standalone Vision Pro.
Apple also worked on N109, a second-generation Vision Pro with a faster processor and improved external cameras. Both projects were subsequently shelved as Apple reassessed its headset strategy.
Meta Takes Apple’s Abandoned Approach
Earlier this month, Meta launched $1,299 VR Glasses. The device uses an external computing module containing the processor and battery.
Gurman tested the device for nearly an hour and "was blown away" by its comfort and compact design. The device weighs just one-sixth as much as Vision Pro and offers about three hours of battery life (compared to 2.5 hours for Apple’s device).
However, Vision Pro has a wider field of view, better video quality and more advanced chips. Meta’s headset, on the other hand, lets in a "noticeable amount of light" and requires manual eye-distance adjustment.
"But product development is about trade-offs and Meta made the right ones," Gurman stated.
Apple Reconsiders Vision Pro Strategy
According to Gurman, Apple is now reportedly working toward developing smart glasses, 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.
The project reflects Apple’s renewed exploration of lighter and potentially less expensive headset designs.
If released, the device is unlikely to arrive before late 2028 or early 2029.
Price Action: Apple shares closed at $341.07 on Friday, up 1.53%. In Monday’s premarket trading, the stock was at $340.55, down 0.15%, according to Benzinga Pro.
According to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, Apple ranks in the 97th percentile for Quality, with positive short-, medium- and long-term price trends.
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