Apple is reportedly working on the next generation of its Vision Pro headset, even though the $3,499 first-generation mixed reality headset has not yet been released to the public.

According to reports, there are four models in development, with production of initial samples expected to begin late next year. This is supposedly so that a preview can be ready for WWDC in 2025 and released later that year.

DigiTimes first reported that at least one of the four new models will be a direct replacement for the original model, while the other will be an affordable version. It is not clear what the other two models will be, but they will likely be variations of the high-end and low-end models, mirroring other Apple product categories.

The biggest hope for the new generation Vision Pro will be price. The first generation is expected to cost more than $3,400, which is more than an impressive gaming rig, but this is for an entry-level model.

According to press reports, the reduced price model could be half the price of the current generation, about $1,700. This is comparable to the MacBook Pro, although still expensive compared to the Meta Quest 3, which can be purchased for less than $500.

Rumors of a price reduction come from the new headset's Bill of Materials (BoM) document. This is the price of the components and is half the price of the original.

However, this does not necessarily mean that the new headset will be half the price of the current generation. Apple could decide to take a hit and make it even cheaper, or conversely, make a larger margin on a more mass-market model.

Mass production of the first generation Vision Pro is expected to begin next month with 400,000 units, and Apple hopes to sell 1 million Vision Pro headsets in 2024.

Reaching this goal will likely help the company decide what to do with the second generation.

Another report suggests that Apple may already be considering a third-generation model and plans for it to become a long-term product category, rather than just a "never released" throwaway flop like the ApplePower.