Apple, which recently unveiled its first mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, is reportedly already working on its successor, codenamed Project Alaska. Although development is still in the early stages, some details about the next-generation headset have emerged, including design changes, hardware components, and a potential launch window.
According to MacRumors, Project Alaska will be very similar to its predecessor in terms of appearance. However, there may be some noticeable differences, particularly in speakers.
Some sketches show the absence of speaker cabinets, while others show holes for them near the top ventilation holes. In addition, references to an audio accessory were found in the documentation, which hints at the possibility of using an external speaker for the next headset.
The back straps have also undergone changes. MacRumors describes them as “simpler in design and appearance,” reminiscent of the flat straps commonly found on laptop bags or backpacks.
This design change may be in line with previous rumors of a more affordable price for the second generation Vision Pro.
Delving into the hardware components, the report lists a compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, and gyroscope among the sensors. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and ultra-low latency audio.
The headset will also feature two micro-OLED displays, a TrueDepth camera, four computer vision cameras, two RGB cameras, two infrared illuminators for low-light conditions, and semi-automatic pupil distance adjustment.
The second-generation Vision Pro is expected to move into the proof-of-concept (POC) phase in 2025, paving the way for a potential launch in late 2025 or early 2026. Although pricing information is still being kept under wraps, it is expected to be more affordable than the first-generation model.
