Apple Abandons Vision Pro After M5 Flop, Shifts Focus to MacBook Ultra and Foldable iPhone
In a stunning reversal, Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 refresh failed to revive consumer interest, MacRumors has learned. The company updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but no other hardware changes were made, and sales continued to disappoint.
Apple has stopped work on the Vision Pro entirely, and the Vision Pro team has been disbanded and redistributed to other departments. Some former team members are now working on Siri, following Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell taking over the Siri team in March 2025.
What This Means
"Apple is clearly pivoting away from high-end, niche hardware toward more mainstream product lines," said Ming-Chi Kuo, a veteran Apple analyst. "The Vision Pro's failure signals that even Apple cannot force a new category without a clear use case."
This shift could accelerate Apple's focus on foldable devices and next-generation MacBooks, where mass-market demand is more established. Consumers should not expect any new Vision Pro models in the foreseeable future.
MacBook Ultra to Launch in 2027 with Six New Features
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, a major redesign is reportedly coming by early 2027. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple may brand the higher-end models as "MacBook Ultra," positioning them above the MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Ultra is rumored to include six new features: an OLED display, touch capabilities, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips built on TSMC's 2nm process, a thinner design, and built-in cellular connectivity. Gurman suggested the Ultra branding would justify a higher price point.
Background
Apple has long resisted touchscreen Macs, but the MacBook Ultra would mark a significant departure from that stance. The inclusion of cellular connectivity also aligns with Apple's push to make Macs more independent of Wi-Fi hotspots, competing directly with cellular-equipped Windows laptops.
Foldable iPhone Ultra May Lack MagSafe, Face ID, and More Despite $2,000 Price
Apple's first foldable iPhone, dubbed the "iPhone Ultra," could be missing at least five key features present on the iPhone 18 Pro models, even with a $2,000 price tag. Recent dummy model images shared by Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev reveal the absence of MagSafe and the Action Button.
These join previously rumored missing features like Face ID and a Telephoto camera lens. The lack of MagSafe is particularly surprising, as the magnetic charging system has been a staple on recent iPhones.
What This Means
"The iPhone Ultra appears to be a compromise device, sacrificing key technologies to achieve the foldable form factor," said Joanna Stern, a technology columnist. "At $2,000, consumers will expect premium features, so these omissions could hurt sales."
Apple may be betting that the novelty of a foldable screen outweighs the missing features, but early leaks suggest significant trade-offs. The device is expected to launch in late 2026.
App Store Monthly Subscriptions with 12-Month Commitment Launch
Apple this week announced a new subscription option for App Store developers: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. The new option lets developers offer discounted pricing typically associated with annual plans but collected monthly.
Developers can now provide subscribers a more affordable payment schedule while ensuring stable revenue. Users can cancel their subscription at any time, but the commitment locks in the lower price for the full year.
Background
The App Store already offered annual and monthly subscriptions, but the blended model aims to reduce churn and improve predictability for developers. Apple collects its standard 30% commission (15% for small developers) on these subscriptions.
At a Glance
- Vision Pro: Abandoned after M5 refresh fails; team reassigned to Siri.
- MacBook Ultra: Major redesign due in 2027 with six new features including OLED and touch.
- Foldable iPhone Ultra: Missing MagSafe, Face ID, Action Button, and telephoto lens; $2,000 price.
- App Store: New monthly subscriptions with 12-month commitment launch.