Cupertino, California – Apple’s next-generation mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro 2, may address one of its biggest criticisms: weight. According to sources familiar with the development, the company has found a way to cut the device’s weight by nearly half, while also boosting display resolution.

The original Vision Pro, launched in early 2024, weighed around 650 grams. Many users complained it was too heavy for extended use. The new version is said to tip the scales at roughly 350 grams. That is a massive reduction. It makes the device closer to a pair of ski goggles than a bulky helmet.

How did Apple achieve this? The answer lies in materials and miniaturization. The outer shell will switch from aluminium and glass to a magnesium alloy. This is lighter, yet still robust enough to protect the internal components. The internal battery pack, which was separate and tethered by a cable, may be replaced by a slim, integrated unit. That change alone could shave off more than 100 grams.

Sources also report that the lens system has been redesigned. Apple is using a new ultra-thin polymer lens. It replaces the bulky Fresnel lenses used in the first version. The result is a slimmer front end and less strain on the user’s neck.

But weight is not the only upgrade. The display resolution is set to increase. The original Vision Pro used two micro-OLED panels with a combined resolution of around 23 million pixels. The new model is expected to boast panels with over 32 million pixels each. That would put the per-eye resolution at about 4K per eye, up from 2.5K. This means text and images will appear sharper. Virtual objects will blend more convincingly with the real world.

One engineer who worked on the project said: “We were given a mandate to make it disappear from the user’s consciousness. Weight was enemy number one. Resolution was enemy number two. We’ve tackled both.”

The processor is also getting a bump. The Vision Pro 2 will likely use the M5 chip, compared to the M2 in the original. This will enable better spatial computing and improved eye-tracking. Apple has also refined the external display that shows the user’s eyes to others. It is now brighter and uses less power.

But what about the price? The original Vision Pro cost $3,499. Industry analysts expect the Vision Pro 2 to start at a similar price, despite the improvements. However, Apple may introduce a lower-cost version later, possibly without the high-resolution displays or premium materials.

Some competitors have already caught up. Meta’s Quest 3 offers good mixed reality for a fraction of the price. But Apple is betting that premium quality and integration with its ecosystem will justify the cost. Developers who have tested early units say the improvement is “night and day”. One developer told us: “The first Vision Pro was a proof of concept. This one feels like a real product people will actually buy.”

There are still challenges. The device’s battery life remains a concern. Sources say it will last about three hours, the same as the original. Apple is also working on a separate battery pack that can be worn on the belt for extended use.

The new unit is expected to be announced in late 2025, with a release in early 2026. Apple declined to comment on the leaks.