New M4 Vision Pro gives me hope that the most needed fix is coming

11 hours ago 7

A new M4 Vision Pro is reportedly launching later this year, and even though not a lot sounds like it’s changing, I’m cautiously hopeful that the most needed fix might be on the way.

New Vision Pro will have M4 chip and all-new strap

When Vision Pro first launched in February 2024, I was initially a holdout. The device fascinated me, but I couldn’t justify the price.

Eventually I gave in, buying a Vision Pro last December. But ever since then, the weight and existing strap options have been an ongoing issue for me—like they are for many.

Fortunately, it sounds like Apple plans to ship a brand new strap with its forthcoming M4 Vision Pro.

Mark Gurman writes at Bloomberg:

The updated Vision Pro will include a faster processor and components that can better run artificial intelligence, according to people with knowledge of the matter. There also will be a new strap to make it easier to wear the headset for long periods of time, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been announced.

Based on Gurman’s report, and similar expectations shared by Ming-Chi Kuo before, this new Vision Pro sounds entirely like a spec bump update.

Other than some minimal component changes, such as the M4 chip, the new Vision Pro will likely look identical to the existing model.

Identical except for the new strap, of course. And that one change is currently the source of all my hopes for a better Vision Pro experience.

New strap might be the short-term Vision Pro fix we need

I have no doubt Apple’s strap will be backwards-compatible with the existing Vision Pro. It would be a major blow to early adopters if not.

And I want to believe that, with feedback from many Vision Pro users throughout the world over the last nearly 18 months, Apple has been able to create a better strap solution than before.

It seems Apple may have been caught off-guard by how ineffective many users found the existing straps. Despite Vision Pro including two options in the box, third-party strap accessories became a necessity for extended use.

Now, following significant feedback and data gathering post-Vision Pro’s launch, Apple gets the chance at a second try.

Will the new strap make Vision Pro’s weight a non-issue? Unlikely, but I suspect it can do a better job than what’s available now.

And if the new Vision Pro strap provides a meaningfully more comfortable, user-friendly experience, it could be the short-term fix that helps us get by until 2027.

Do you think a new strap can help fix Vision Pro’s weight issue? Let us know in the comments.