Just a few hours after an FCC listing seemingly confirmed the imminent launch cadence of a cheaper iteration of the Vision Pro headset, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has come forward to report that Apple has apparently shelved plans for the headset's high-end sibling to prioritize work on AI-enabled smart glasses.
To wit, Gurman has delineated a broader strategy that Apple is reportedly pursuing, whereby the Cupertino giant is now seeking to launch AI products with a heftier mass-market appeal, all in a bid to put up some much-needed competition against Meta, which seems bent on cornering the AI smart glasses segment.
As per the details, Apple has halted all work on a high-end version of the Vision Pro headset, which was expected to launch in 2027 and bears the internal codename N100. The company is still developing a cheaper version of the headset that bears the internal codename N109.
As such, it can be reasonably inferred that this week's FCC listing that alluded to a "Head Mounted Device," bearing the model number A3416, likely pertains to this cheaper version of the Vision Pro headset.
Apple is reportedly gunning for a 2026 release of its new AI-enabled smart glasses, replete with integrated cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling the wearer to interact via an improved version of its bespoke AI assistant, Siri.
Apple's new AI smart glasses will support key features, including hands-free notifications, real-time AI assistance, and AI-powered translations. Nonetheless, these glasses are not expected to support an in-built AR display.
In doing so, Apple is apparently trying to compete with Meta's now-iconic Ray-Ban smart glasses that offer up to eight hours of mixed use, 2 hours of continuous 'live AI' support, ultra HD 3K video recording ability, and an upcoming optimized noise cancellation system, called conversation focus.
Of course, Meta also recently showcased its all-new Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, which feature an in-built display that is large enough to read text, watch a small video, view directions, and see live translations. At 42 pixels per degree (ppd), the display offers higher resolution than any of Meta's other consumer VR headsets.
With a custom light engine and waveguide that delivers brightness of up to 5,000 nits, Meta claims the glasses work well both indoors and outdoors. The Ray-Ban Display glasses are now available for purchase for $799, along with the Meta Neural Band, which features a control interface for these smart glasses. This interface enables users to navigate apps using hand gestures by leveraging electromyography (EMG) to detect signals sent between the brain and the hand.
As per Gurman's latest report, it seems Apple is not trying to emulate Meta's Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, and is instead focusing its efforts on replicating the abilities of the its less ostentatious sibling, the one that comes without an-built display.
Update 1: While initial impressions suggested that Apple might still release a cheaper Vision Pro soon, that seems increasingly unlikely now as the Cupertino giant moves full-steam ahead to counter Meta's AI glasses.
Update 2: Apple might release a competitor to Meta's Ray-Ban Display AI smart glasses in 2027.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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