Apple is reportedly exploring cellular connectivity for Vision Pro, and that’s a great thing – 9to5Mac

Apple has been internally working towards developing new 5G modems for the longest time, and we’re finally expected to see them debut in the iPhone SE 4 next spring. However, a new report from Bloomberg yesterday provides a much more detailed roadmap on Apple’s modem plans, and it includes cellular coming to a couple new products, including Apple Vision Pro.

Apple modems in Vision Pro

Although unlikely to be included in the M5 chip refresh coming next year, Mark Gurman reports that Apple is considering bringing cellular connectivity to Apple Vision Pro:

The company is also discussing bringing cellular support to headsets, including future models of the Vision Pro. Someday, the technology may also be used in lightweight augmented reality glasses, though such a device is years away.

Apple is reportedly prototyping two versions of 5G modems:

• A first generation model, expected to debut in iPhone SE 4, iPhone 17 Air, and low end iPads next year, focused on costs and efficiency
• A higher end model, expected to debut in 2026, with faster 5G connectivity – for iPhone 18 Pro and Macs

It’s currently unclear which modem will be going into Apple Vision Pro, as the Bloomberg report doesn’t specify.

However, it’s worth noting that Apple Vision Pro needs to be pretty power efficient, as it has a rather small battery powering the whole system. For that reason, I could see Apple sticking to the lower end first generation modem for Apple Vision Pro – though time will tell.

Why we need it

I’ve long believed that Vision Pro eventually having cellular connectivity would make a lot of sense. I wouldn’t expect people to walk around with Vision Pro on with the current form factor, but in a future where Vision Pro is slimmer and lighter, it could potentially be a future that we live in.

Regardless of whether or not people wear them outside though, there are a couple strong potential use cases. I could easily see passengers wanting to use Vision Pro while on a road trip, as a way to watch shows/movies along the journey. Cellular would also enable productivity in places where Wi-Fi isn’t necessarily accessible.

Sure, you could always use your phones hotspot. However, that can quickly drain through your phones battery, and many cellular data plans have decent limitations on hotspotting that Apple Vision Pro could quickly run through.

With Apple’s 5G modems, you could potentially have super-fast connectivity directly to your Vision Pro, regardless of where you are.

What do you think of the cellular Apple Vision Pro rumor? Let us know in the comments.

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