Cheaper (and more comfortable/lighter) Apple Vision glasses could offload hardware cost by tethering to iPhone for processing and power. And a separate tethered Vision processor/battery pack could be offered for “standalone” Vision capability with more advanced features.
Makes sense that manufacturing cost for latest display and other components will reduce over time - and with increased volumes. So 2 years after initial launch, when new Apple Vision device is expected, there could be significant cost reductions. So a cheaper Vision device could maintain much of the quality level of initial Vision Pro - and Vision Pro could also see some cost reduction. Additionally if a cheaper Vision device is released, the Vision Pro could be upgraded to include newer Apple Silicon and other components without a major upgrade - to maintain it’s viability as a “pro” option.
I imagine the average tech RU-vidr's discussion of the AVP must closely resemble the early skepticism about automobiles when they first emerged. Just as some men couldn't imagine being seen riding in the loud, belching monstrosity or the need for replacing horse-drawn carriages, many today struggle to see the potential of the AVP beyond superficial concerns. The horse-drawn carriage was once seen as perfect, much like current tech norms. The worse are the dull, unimaginative debates about how AVP wearers might appear less attractive highlight a lack of vision for how this technology could revolutionize the future.
How ghost eyes ever made it to production is beyond me, and take all the processing power off my face and into my pocket and iPhone 16....I have to have a battery pack attached anyway. Just off loading the processing power will cut the price and weight a ton. Also it's mostly a content device, do deals with content providers, subsidize they crap out of it. MLB,NFL,NHL,NBA all could offer live content and subscriptions like seats in the front row. Movies, TV, Events, Concerts. When it's half the price or even free with subscriptions to content, and weight is a third of what it is now, it will be huge. I never liked the idea of the computer right against my face anyway, just put the display in the glasses.
If Apple degrades the quality of the screens, cameras or processing, I think that cheaper product would be DOA even at the cheaper $1500 price point. Sure, more people would be able to buy it, but would they want to. The experience wouldn't be the same, that visual wow factor seeing the world through Vision OS wouldn't be there. What Apple should do is figure out how to keep the core quality and feature set of Vision Pro and put that same level into a cheaper, lighter product. Something that could be removed are those exterior screens. Most people seem to be in agreement that it's not necessary and useless feature. Also, ditching the aluminum for plastic is another avenue they could explore for a cheaper product.
