In an era where the boundaries between reality and virtuality are increasingly blurred, Apple is on the cusp of captivating us with its latest technological marvel: the Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset that’s already creating a buzz. However, Apple is not resting on its laurels. Even before the Vision Pro hits the shelves, the company is hard at work on its successor, which, according to a report from Macrumors, is in an exciting phase of development.
Known under the codename “Project Alaska” and device identifier N109, this project promises to push the boundaries of mixed reality even further. While the new headset is said to resemble its predecessor in appearance, a closer look reveals intriguing innovations. Changes in the speaker design are anticipated, with some designs showing no conventional speaker housings, while others feature speaker-like openings near the top ventilation areas. References to an audio accessory in documentation also spark curiosity about possible external speaker systems for the headset.
Equally interesting is the redesign of the straps. These are now simpler and more straightforward, reminiscent of the flat straps found on laptop bags or backpacks. Rumors suggesting that the new Apple headset might be cheaper than the Vision Pro gain credence with this design change.
The hardware of the second Vision Pro is packed with innovations: sensors such as a compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, and gyroscope; connectivity through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and ultra-low-latency audio transmission. Additionally, it includes two micro-OLED displays, a TrueDepth camera, four computer vision cameras, two RGB cameras, two infrared illuminators for low light conditions, and semi-automatic interpupillary distance adjustment.
If all goes according to plan, Apple will send the new headset into product validation testing (PVT) in 2025. This means we could expect the launch of the second-gen Vision Pro between late 2025 and early 2026. It’s expected to be cheaper than the first model, but exact pricing details are still to be announced. One thing is clear: Apple is determined to actively shape the future of mixed reality and take us on a fascinating journey into new dimensions.
