Apple’s decision to deprioritize a full Vision Pro successor in favor of smart glasses has anchored trader consensus that no true second-generation headset will launch before 2027. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in late September 2026 that the N224 project remains in early conceptual testing with four design options under consideration, yet the effort sits on “life support” as resources shift to AI smart glasses expected in late 2027. Earlier June 2026 reporting from Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo confirmed cancellation of the lighter Vision Air variant and reassignment of Vision Products Group staff, following the modest October 2025 M5 chip refresh that did not constitute a generational redesign. This leaves a multi-year gap before any redesigned, lighter, or lower-cost headset could reach market, consistent with typical Apple hardware cycles and recent layoffs in mixed-reality teams. While an abrupt reversal or accelerated prototype remains theoretically possible, no credible signals point to a 2026 release.