Apple's N224 Vision Pro Successor: Four Prototypes, an External Puck, and What It Means for XR Buyers
Apple's Vision Pro hasn't been the runaway hit Apple wanted — its bulk and $3,699 price tag kept mainstream buyers away. But Apple isn't giving up on mixed reality. A September 27 report from 9to5Mac reveals that Apple is actively testing four prototypes for a new headset codenamed N224, and one of them borrows Meta's smartest idea: moving the heavy computing hardware off your face entirely.
Project Name
N224 — a separate project from the canceled Vision Air (N100). Four prototypes under testing.
Expected Timeline
Late 2028 to early 2029 at the earliest. Still in the prototype stage — not imminent.
Buy Now?
Don't wait. Meta VR Glasses ($1,299) ship spring 2027. Quest 3 is available now.
What Are the Four N224 Prototypes Apple Is Testing?
According to 9to5Mac, with additional corroboration from AppleInsider's analysis of Apple's development history, the four prototypes explore different approaches to the same problem: making a mixed-reality headset people actually want to wear.
- External compute puck model: Moves the processor, battery, and storage into a wired external unit that clips to a belt or sits on a desk. This mirrors Meta VR Glasses' design, which weighs just 100 grams on the face.
- Budget chip model: Uses a less powerful processor to reduce cost, potentially bringing the price significantly below Vision Pro's $3,699.
- Two additional form factors: Details remain scarce, but having four prototypes at this stage suggests Apple is still exploring rather than converging on a final design.
How Does N224 Differ From the Canceled Vision Air?
Apple previously developed a cheaper, lighter headset codenamed N100, widely reported as "Vision Air." That project was canceled as Apple reorganized its wearable strategy. N224 has similar goals — lighter, more affordable — but it's a fresh start with a different engineering team and different design constraints informed by Vision Pro's market reception and Meta's innovations.
The timing is significant. Apple shelved Vision Air around the same time it lost Paul Meade, the VP who led Vision Pro's hardware development, to OpenAI. N224's emergence suggests Apple's XR team has regrouped and is pursuing a different path.
Why Is Apple Considering an External Compute Puck?
Weight is the single biggest complaint about Vision Pro. At 650+ grams on the face, it causes fatigue within 30-60 minutes for many users. Meta's VR Glasses showed that moving compute off-face drops weight to about 100 grams — comparable to regular glasses. Bloomberg's Gurman called this approach what Vision Pro should have been from the start.
The trade-off is a cable. You're tethered to a puck in your pocket, which limits mobility and introduces a potential snag point. Apple has historically resisted tethered designs — Vision Pro's self-contained approach was a deliberate choice. The fact that Apple is even prototyping a puck model signals a genuine reconsideration.
When Could Apple's Next Headset Actually Launch?
Bloomberg reports N224 could arrive between late 2028 and early 2029. That's at least two full years away. For context, Apple's headset roadmap has shifted multiple times: Vision Air was canceled, the smart glasses program was pushed to 2027, and Vision Pro itself shipped later than initially planned. Treat any timeline as provisional.
In the meantime, Apple is focusing on smart glasses for 2027 — a far more accessible product that doesn't require solving the weight problem Meta just solved for headsets.
Should You Buy an XR Headset Now or Wait for Apple?
Two years is a long time to wait for a prototype that may change dramatically before shipping. Here's the practical advice:
- Need mixed reality today: The Meta Quest 3 at ~$499 is the best value. Apple Vision Pro at $3,699 is available for professionals who need Apple ecosystem integration.
- Can wait 6 months: Meta VR Glasses ($1,299, spring 2027) will offer a dramatically lighter premium headset at a fraction of Vision Pro's price.
- Want Apple specifically: You're looking at late 2028 at the earliest. N224 is still in prototype. Don't wait — buy what's available now and upgrade later.
Related Articles
Apple XR FAQ
Common questions about Apple's next Vision Pro headset
Quick answers about N224, the canceled Vision Air, and whether to buy an XR headset today or wait for Apple.
What is Apple's N224 project?
N224 is Apple's codename for a new mixed-reality headset successor to the Vision Pro. It's separate from the previously canceled Vision Air (N100) project and has at least four prototypes in testing, including designs with external compute units and less expensive chips.
When will the next Apple Vision Pro be released?
Bloomberg reports the N224 could arrive between late 2028 and early 2029. Apple has not announced any official timeline, and the project is still in the prototype phase.
Should I buy Apple Vision Pro now or wait for N224?
The N224 is at least two years away. If you need spatial computing today, Vision Pro is available now at $3,699. If you can wait, Meta's VR Glasses ($1,299, spring 2027) offer a lighter alternative much sooner than Apple's next headset.
Is Apple copying Meta's external compute puck design?
One of Apple's four N224 prototypes uses an external compute unit, similar to Meta's VR Glasses approach. However, Apple is also testing self-contained designs, and the final product may not use a puck at all.
What happened to the Apple Vision Air?
Apple canceled the Vision Air (codenamed N100), a planned cheaper and lighter headset. The N224 project has similar goals — lighter weight and potentially lower cost — but is a separate, newer initiative.