Apple has reportedly laid off at least 60 employees across its Vision Group and VR-related positions, signaling a pivot toward artificial intelligence and lighter smart glasses. The Vision Products Group was dissolved on April 29, 2026, alongside a pause on the Vision Pro hardware roadmap.
Vision Pro Struggles and Smart Glasses Pivot
Launched in February 2024 for $3,499, the Vision Pro headset struggled to gain mainstream traction due to its high price, heavy design, and limited initial developer support. While the VR team has not been completely disbanded, the cuts suggest Apple is scaling back its focus on the headset. The company is reportedly shifting its longer-term ambitions toward smart glasses, a category currently led by Meta Platforms.
Leadership Transitions and Engineer Movement
The restructuring aligns with broader tech layoffs and significant executive changes at the company. John Ternus is scheduled to replace Tim Cook as Apple's CEO on September 1.
Additionally, John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, exited the company on April 13, 2026. The dissolution of the Vision Products Group marks the largest involuntary movement of Apple-trained engineers into the open market since the Project Titan unwind in 2024.