A prototype collector and whistleblower named Kosutami recently released a photo again, claiming to show parts of an all-black version of Apple’s Vision headset that has not yet been released, triggering a new round of speculation about Apple’s color matching and product line planning of spatial computing equipment.
Judging from the pictures, these components include a suspected power headband and wired audio module on the left side of the Vision Pro. Its structure is highly similar to the existing Vision Pro hardware, but the overall design adopts a dark appearance that has never been seen in previous mass-produced models.
The current mass-produced version of Apple Vision Pro is only available in silver and white, and the parts exposed this time are believed to belong to an all-black or dark version of the Vision headset that has not yet been launched. The report pointed out that the shape and interface layout of the new parts are consistent with existing equipment, so it is more like an adjustment in color matching and materials rather than a complete redesign. Such revelations are seen as indirect evidence that Apple has been exploring richer appearance options internally, and echo many previous rumors about dark Vision models.
Kosutami has previously revealed prototype parts related to the Vision series many times, including information about a thinner and lighter mixed reality headset called "Vision Air." According to relevant reports, the "Vision Air" internally codenamed model adopts a lighter structural design and reduces weight by changing some structural parts and battery casing to titanium. At the same time, the appearance of the fuselage is a dark blue-black tone similar to "Midnight Color", and the main shell material is still aluminum alloy. Compared with the current silver-white Vision Pro, this envisioned model will have significant differences in wearing comfort and visual style.
Earlier this year, Kosutami also showed off a dark power cable component that is suspected to be used in the next-generation Vision headset. It is similar in shape to the Lightning interface, but adopts a midnight color appearance and changes from the 12-contact point of the existing Vision Pro to an 8-contact design. The change in the number of contacts is seen as a signal that Apple is re-planning the layout of the external battery system for subsequent headsets, which may be related to weight reduction, battery life performance and modular design. Combined with the exposure of all-black parts, some believe that Apple has made multiple rounds of attempts on the appearance, power supply interface and structural solutions of the Vision series.
It has been widely expected that Apple will launch a lower-priced and lighter head-mounted display product after the Vision Pro. This positioning is usually referred to as "Vision Air" in the market. It is also planning a second-generation Vision Pro and smart glasses devices that are closer to the form of daily glasses. However, reports indicate that in order to speed up the advancement of smart glasses projects based on artificial intelligence technology, Apple has suspended the development of all new models of Vision headsets, which also casts doubt on whether the above-mentioned prototype components can be transformed into final products. Before any official statement has been made, whether the all-black Vision headset will actually be available to consumers is still only part of the speculation surrounding Apple’s spatial computing roadmap.