Project Alaska: Apple's Second-Generation Vision Pro Headset

Over the last several months, we've heard reports that Apple is working on a second-generation AR/VR headset, although there have been few details shared about the device. MacRumors has now received new information about the project, giving us some insight into the design and hardware of the successor to the Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro with battery Feature Orange
The second-generation Apple Vision Pro headset, known internally under the codename Project Alaska and device identifier N109, bears striking resemblance to the first-generation Vision Pro announced at WWDC 2023. While the device maintains the curved aesthetic and button placement of the first Vision Pro, the speaker placement is expected to be different.

Early designs of the second-generation Apple headset do not include the rounded areas that house the speakers on the first-generation model. Instead, the headset features temples that are flat and uniform throughout their entire length. Documentation related to the Alaska project contains references to a non-descript audio accessory, possibly an external speaker. At one point in development, there were two different design configurations for the top vents – one being the same as the vents on the first-generation ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, and the latter featuring two clusters of tiny speaker-type holes.

Another key difference has to do with the rear straps. The second-generation headset features straps that are simpler in design and appearance, being somewhat reminiscent of the flat straps commonly found on laptop bags or backpacks. Prior rumors have suggested that the next Apple headset could be cheaper than the Vision Pro, and the design of the rear straps on the second-generation headset lends some credence to this theory. More streamlined straps would presumably be easier to mass produce, perhaps resulting in a lower overall price for end consumers.

Along with the possibility of an audio accessory, information from our sources suggests that Apple has plans for an external battery pack, similar to the battery pack used for the first-generation ‌Apple Vision Pro‌.

In terms of hardware, the second-generation Vision Pro will continue to include an array of cameras and sensors similar to those in the first headset. To be more specific, the device will feature a compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, and gyroscope, all of which are already present in the iPhone. For connectivity, the second generation Apple headset will support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, and ultra-low latency audio (ULLA).

Key hardware components of the second-generation Apple headset:

  • 2 micro-OLED displays
  • 1 TrueDepth camera
  • 4 computer vision (CV) cameras
  • 2 RGB cameras
  • 2 low light infrared illuminators
  • Semi-automatic interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment
  • Compass, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, accelerometer, gyrocope

Current information indicates that the second-generation Apple headset is scheduled for the product validation testing (PVT) stage of development in 2025, suggesting a release date of late 2025 or early 2026. The information we've shared comes from a reliable source that has provided us with details about Apple's plans in the past, but it is worth noting that this is pre-production information and Apple's plans could change before final mass production begins on the second-generation headset.

For more information on the current ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, check out our dedicated Vision Pro roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Top Rated Comments

t0rqx Avatar
4 weeks ago
Just cancelled my preorder to wait for 2nd gen.
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spanky Deluxe Avatar
4 weeks ago
V2 will be the one to buy. It's the same for every Apple product. The first gen is effectively a public beta test where they learn the most from how people are using their products. Gen 2 is where they implement all that they've learned and finally have a true 'finished' product. Support for the first generation is always much much shorter than for subsequent ones. It's been this way with iPhones, iPads and Watches and is just the way that Apple functions.

If you *can* wait for the second gen, you'll get a much better and much longer lived product. Of course, then you won't have the new shiny for a whole generation and those first gen adopters are what fuel further products so there's nothing wrong with buying the first gen and there's a good chance I'll be among them.

I think realistically, we'll likely get an interesting Gen 1 product and then a truly impressive Gen 2 product as well as a really good lower priced 'consumer' product that itself is better than the Gen 1 headset in almost every way.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ryan102 Avatar
4 weeks ago
"bears striking resemblance to the first-generation Vision Pro"

That sounds like Apple alright
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
squirrelist Avatar
4 weeks ago

Why do people think the headset will get cheaper each version? Apple does on occasion drop the price a bit year-over-year for a line of hardware, yes. Then some years raise the price at the reasoning of giving you even more performance. If you're holding out for a $500 headset, it will NEVER be this flagship series. Apple will need to come out with something simpler. I think that's a long way off yet. It's going to be an elite priced product for a while.
Apple has a history of charging a lot for the first gen of a product line and then dropping it with a later revision. The first MacBook Air was $1,799 starting. Within two years it dropped to $999. iPhone was $599 (which dropped to $399 a couple of months later) but the iPhone 3G started at $199 (note that this doesn't compare with modern phone pricing which uses loans instead of carrier subsidies). The first Apple Watch (aka Series 0) had a starting point of $349 and the Series 1 dropped to $269. The original Apple TV was $299 and the second-gen was $99.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
madmin Avatar
4 weeks ago
Looking forward to the third-generation with the pear-shaped battery pack with haptic feedback
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MICHAELSD Avatar
4 weeks ago

"bears striking resemblance to the first-generation Vision Pro"

That sounds like Apple alright
That was an odd statement regardless. Second-generation products usually don’t change their design drastically. Striking resemblance in this context is an oxymoron.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 16 4 Web Push

Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users

Wednesday December 6, 2023 5:06 am PST by
Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users by tracking push notifications that move through Google's and Apple's servers, a US senator warned on Wednesday (via Reuters). In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from the tech giants to track smartphones. The traffic flowing from apps that send push notifications...
airpods pro 2 pink

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November. Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware beyond "bug fixes and other improvements," so it is unclear what's new in the update, but prior software releases ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Wednesday December 6, 2023 2:03 am PST by
Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance. According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use. A UDC differs from a typical front ...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:04 am PST by
The iOS 17.2 update that Apple is set to release to the public in the near future will bring support for the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Qi2 was mentioned in the release notes for the RC version of the update that came out today. With the addition of support for the new standard, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models will work with Qi2...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 May Reuse Existing iPhone 14 Battery

Wednesday December 6, 2023 1:17 pm PST by
Recently, MacRumors has received details on the battery currently being tested on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE, and the information corroborates previous findings in relation to the device. The iPhone SE 4, known by its device identifier D59, is expected to use the exact same battery found in the base model iPhone 14. Partially assembled prototypes of the next iPhone SE have been ...
airpods pro bulbs

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

Tuesday December 5, 2023 7:30 am PST by
Today we're tracking a collection of deals that are matching - or nearly matching - the same all-time low discounts we saw during Black Friday. This includes the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, 9th generation iPad, and M1 MacBook Air. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the ...
instagram messenger

Instagram and Facebook Messenger Chats to Disconnect This Month

Tuesday December 5, 2023 1:57 am PST by
Meta has revealed plans to end Instagram users' ability to chat with Facebook accounts later this month, rolling back a feature that it introduced over three years ago. In September 2020, Meta (then Facebook) announced it was merging its Facebook Messenger service with Instagram direct messaging, allowing Instagram users to chat with Facebook users and vice versa using the same platform....