Apple's Vision Pro Abandoned; 'MacBook Ultra' and Foldable 'iPhone Ultra' in the Pipeline
Breaking: Apple Shelves Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Fails
Apple has effectively halted development on the Vision Pro headset, according to sources familiar with the company's internal roadmap. The M5 upgrade released in October 2025 failed to revive consumer interest, leading to a complete redistribution of the dedicated Vision Pro team.
"The M5 model was a last-ditch effort, but it didn't move the needle," a former Apple engineer told Reuters. "Apple knew the Vision Pro was dead—they just needed a dignified exit."
The 'MacBook Ultra' Arrives in 2027 with Touch and OLED
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is planning a major redesign for high-end MacBook Pro models by early 2027, potentially branded as 'MacBook Ultra.' This new lineup would sit above the current MacBook Pro, featuring a dramatically thinner chassis.
Gurman claims the device will include a touch-capable OLED display, a Dynamic Island cutout, and built-in 5G cellular connectivity. The MacBook Ultra will be powered by M6 Pro and M6 Max chips fabricated on TSMC's 2nm process.
Foldable iPhone Ultra Skips MagSafe, Face ID, and More Despite $2,000 Price
Images of dummy models shared by leakers Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev reveal that Apple's first foldable iPhone—dubbed the 'iPhone Ultra'—will lack at least five key features. These include MagSafe wireless charging, the Action Button, and Face ID.
"At $2,000 you'd expect the works," said mobile analyst Ben Wood of CCS Insight. "But Apple is positioning this as a fashion statement, not a flagship replacement." The device is also missing a telephoto lens and the ProMotion 120Hz display available on the iPhone 18 Pro.
App Store Introduces 12-Month Commitment Subscriptions
Apple has quietly rolled out a new subscription model for App Store developers: monthly billing with a one-year lock-in. The option allows developers to offer discounted annual pricing while collecting payments monthly.
"This gives developers a tool to reduce churn without asking users to pay $99 upfront," explained app economy analyst Jane Wong. Early adopters include streaming and cloud storage apps.
Background
Apple's product strategy has been under scrutiny since the Vision Pro's $3,499 price point proved too steep for mass adoption. The M5 refresh—which offered only a faster chip and a redesigned headband—failed to attract buyers, with sales falling 40% quarter-over-quarter.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Ultra rumors fill a gap left by the discontinued 12-inch MacBook. Gurman says the 'Ultra' branding suggests a premium tier that could start above $2,500. The foldable iPhone, expected in 2026, will compete with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold but at a significant price premium.
What This Means
For consumers, Apple is effectively admitting that augmented reality headsets are not yet ready for prime time. The Vision Pro's failure signals that even with Apple's design prowess, price and practicality must align. The MacBook Ultra and foldable iPhone represent Apple's bet on two distinct form factors: a larger, touch-enabled laptop and a compact device that unfolds into a tablet.
Investors should watch for supply chain moves—Apple is already securing 2nm chip capacity for 2027. The foldable iPhone's missing features suggest Apple is deliberately reserving key tech for future generations, a pattern seen with the original iPhone missing GPS and 3G.
In the short term, developers gain a new subscription tool, but the larger story is Apple's strategic pivot. The Vision Pro team has been reassigned to Siri and other projects, indicating that Apple is doubling down on AI and voice interfaces rather than dedicated AR hardware.