• Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools and Genmojis to the Vision Pro.
• Reportedly shifting focus to a lower-cost model.

Apple is gearing up to give its Vision Pro headset a much-needed shot in the arm, hoping to spark fresh interest in the $3,500 device that, let’s be honest, hasn’t exactly flown off the shelves. The company is planning a visionOS 2.4 update that could arrive as soon as April, according to people familiar with the plans. Developers might even get their hands on a beta version this week.

Leading the charge is the arrival of Apple Intelligence – Apple’s in-house AI system – on the Vision Pro. It’s the first time these features are extending beyond iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Vision Pro owners can expect tools like Writing Tools, Genmojis, and the Image Playground app, all powered by the headset’s M2 chip and 16GB of memory, enabling smooth on-device AI processing.

The timing isn’t random. Apple is facing stiff competition: Google recently unveiled Android XR, a mixed-reality operating system built around its Gemini AI, with Samsung gearing up to launch a headset running the platform later this year – a device that, going from leaked images, looks suspiciously like Apple’s Vision Pro.

But for all the AI upgrades, the bigger story may be Apple’s struggle to figure out where the Vision Pro fits. Over the past year, sales have been slower than hoped – hardly a shock given the steep price. Even Apple CEO Tim Cook described the headset as an “early-adopter product,” aimed at people who want “tomorrow’s technology today.”

There’s even talk that production is winding down. A report from The Information suggested that Apple might stop making the current Vision Pro soon, although it has enough supply to meet demand for now. Apple’s attention, it seems, is shifting toward what comes next – though exactly what that is remains hazy.

What’s next for Vision Pro?

Apple’s roadmap for its mixed-reality lineup appears to be in flux. Early rumours hinted at a second-generation Vision Pro packed with advanced features, but that project seems to have been put on pause. Instead, Apple’s priority is now believed to be a more affordable version – something closer in price to a high-end iPhone. That model, however, isn’t expected until at least 2027, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

More immediately, a smaller update to the current Vision Pro is being rumoured. Apple could swap in its upcoming M5 chip, providing a performance boost and possibly unlocking more advanced Apple Intelligence features, including an improved version of Siri. However, don’t expect big design changes. The refresh would likely reuse parts from the first-generation model to clear out leftover inventory.

There’s also been talk of 5G connectivity, although that might be reserved for a proper Vision Pro 2 further down the road.

Beyond AI: A content push and a smarter guest mode

Alongside the AI upgrades, Apple is trying to tackle another criticism – the lack of content tailored to the Vision Pro. The upcoming update will introduce a spatial content app designed to showcase 3D images and panoramic photos sourced from external providers. Apple hopes this will give users more to explore and drive interest in spatial media, which has so far been slow to take off. Adding to the content push, an immersive arctic surfing video will drop on February 21 via the Vision Pro’s TV app – a small but notable effort to flesh out the media experience.

On the usability front, guest mode is getting an upgrade. Apple is making it easier for Vision Pro owners to let friends and family try out the headset. For the first time, users will be able to set up guest access from their iPhone, selecting which apps are available. Previously, this all had to be done on the headset itself, which made lending it out a bit of a hassle.

Siri and Apple’s AI growing pains

While the update is bringing ChatGPT integration into Writing Tools, fans hoping for a smarter Siri on Vision Pro might be disappointed for now. Apple had planned a major Siri overhaul alongside this update, but engineering setbacks have reportedly pushed the release to May.

That delay is part of a broader struggle for Apple Intelligence. Critics have noted that Apple’s AI rollout has felt rushed, with Writing Tools, for instance, described as clunky and poorly integrated into Apple’s usual text tools. By contrast, the Image Playground app has been praised for offering a more user-friendly approach to AI-generated content – the kind of experience people expect from Apple.

Apple’s AI ambitions are still a work in progress. The company is seen as playing catch-up to rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Meta. While Apple Intelligence has started rolling out, key regions like continental Europe and China are still waiting, raising concerns about the company’s ability to keep pace in the fast-moving AI race.

The long view is that despite the growing pains, Apple isn’t giving up on mixed reality or AI. The visionOS 2.4 update is a step toward keeping the Vision Pro relevant, even as the company works out the future of the product line. Whether it’s the rumoured M5 refresh, the eventual low-cost model, or something else entirely, Apple is clearly playing the long game. For now, though, Vision Pro remains a product for the few – those willing to pay top dollar for a glimpse into Apple’s vision of the future.

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