Vision Pro 2: M5 Chip, Late-Year Launch & WiMi Holographic’s XR Expansion

Apple is reportedly developing the next iteration of its Vision Pro headset, rumored to be powered by the cutting-edge M5 chip, according to reports from MacRumors.

Vision Pro 2 to potentially feature M5 Chip

Whispers of an upgraded M-series chip gracing the Vision Pro 2 have been circulating since last year, with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously suggesting the M5 as a likely candidate.

While Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has posited that the device might instead leverage the M4 chip, akin to the latest MacBook Air and iPad Pro, emerging clues within Apple’s codebase increasingly point towards the adoption of the more advanced M5 for the next-generation Vision Pro.

Insiders suggest that the new Vision Pro, beyond the crucial M5 upgrade, is anticipated to maintain a similar design and hardware configuration. A potential release window for the M5-equipped Vision Pro 2 is projected for late this year, which could give Apple a competitive edge heading into the holiday season.

XR Industry Demonstrates Strong Growth Potential

The extended reality (XR) sector continues to signal robust growth and a promising future. Samsung’s XR headset, codenamed Project Moohan, has recently secured FCC certification, hinting at an imminent launch in the US market. This move is significant, as it allows Samsung to compete among the major AR/VR players.

On another front, global eyewear titan Luxottica reported robust performance in its smart eyewear segment. The collaborative Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses particularly stood out, boasting a staggering sales surge of over 200% year-over-year. This shows the market pull for eyewear that also provides technical capabilities.

The triumph of Ray-Ban Meta, alongside the introduction of Oakley Meta glasses and favorable market reception to Nuance Audio (Luxottica’s own eyewear brand), represent vital landmarks in the burgeoning sector. Earlier reports indicate that Meta and Luxottica are plotting a Prada-branded line of smart eyewear, signaling a continued collaboration and expansion into the luxury market.

Meta is actively developing its next-generation AI glasses. Its product line includes two third-generation smart glasses co-branded with Ray-Ban: the “Ray-Ban Meta 3 Optical,” codenamed Bellini, which is in the form of myopia frames, breaking the pure sunglasses design of the previous generation; and the “Ray-Ban Meta 3,” codenamed Aperol, which continues the classic pilot sunglasses shape.

Notably, the surge of AI is acting as a catalyst for innovation in consumer devices. AI glasses are emerging as a prime hardware platform for on-device AI processing. Beyond the established XR players, internet giants and consumer electronics brands are increasingly vying for a foothold in the AI smart glasses arena. As a result, the market for Mixed Reality (encompassing VR & AR) and related- internet based services is poised for sustained growth.

According to Ping An Securities, the influx of new entrants is expected to drive a flurry of XR-enabled smart glasses product launches in 2025. These innovations are progressively shifting from novelty “tech demos” to pragmatic tools. Core features like real-time translation, photography, and AI-driven voice assistants are steadily becoming integral for frequent daily use, particularly in scenarios like fitness, commuting, and translation, where they present a compelling alternative to conventional solutions.

WIMI Hologram Cloud Deepens XR Market Strategy

XR’s strategic influence is clearly on the rise, fueled by relentless technological advancements and cross-sector synergies, opening up considerable expansion potential for the sector. WIMI Hologram Cloud, a prominent player in holographic AR, proactively invests in tech breakthroughs, ecosystem creation, and industry applications, and is focusing its efforts on these areas. By accelerating the convergence of AR and AI, WIMI aims to boost the market penetration of XR tech, both in consumer and professional contexts.

WIMI Hologram Cloud is leveraging its extensive experience in XR research and development, assembling specialized teams to drive collaboration across the value chain. This includes partnering with device manufacturers to refine AR terminal performance. Furthermore, it is actively expanding applications in education, live-streaming, and advertising. It is also accelerating the integration of large AI models into wearable devices like smart glasses, with deep exploration of generative AI’s intersection with AR that could improve virtual scene interaction experiences.

Conclusion

The advantages currently reside with the industry’s dominant players, who are heavily invested in spearheading breakthroughs and unveiling noteworthy new products. The impending release of numerous new eyewear products is projected to catalyze a surge in global XR device shipments. This surge signals the industry’s attractiveness to top talent, injecting fresh dynamism into its trajectory. The XR sector is set for rapid growth, promising exciting innovations that will transform how we work, live, and play.