New images shared by prototype collector Kosutami show what appear to be parts for an unreleased all-black version of Apple’s Vision headset. The components resemble a left power strap and audio pod connected by an integrated cable, with the same overall structure seen on production Vision Pro hardware. What sets this piece apart is its finish, a deep black tone not used in any shipping version of the device.
Kosutami has surfaced a range of early Vision hardware over the past year, offering small glimpses into color and structural variations Apple tested internally. This latest image fits into that pattern, suggesting that Apple explored darker finishes long before bringing Vision Pro to market.
Earlier Rumors Point to Vision Air and New Lightweight Materials
Kosutami previously indicated that Apple had been experimenting with a thinner and lighter headset known as Vision Air. That model was said to use a Midnight-colored exterior and reduce weight by shifting structural components and the external battery enclosure to titanium. The leaked details suggested an exterior still shaped around aluminum but finished in a muted bluish-black tone instead of Vision Pro’s silver and white palette.
The collector also shared images earlier in the year of a Midnight-colored connector that resembled a Lightning-style plug but with notable differences. Vision Pro uses a 12-pin system for its external battery, while the prototype cable reportedly carried only eight pins. The simplified design implied that Apple was evaluating changes to the way future headsets handled power delivery and external battery integration.
Industry Reports Suggest Shifts in Apple’s Headset Roadmap
Apple had been expected to broaden its mixed-reality lineup with a lower-cost Vision Air and eventually a redesigned second-generation Vision Pro. Those expectations shifted after reports indicated that Apple paused development of all Vision headsets to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses. This adjustment aligns with broader industry interest in smaller, lighter wearable devices capable of handling on-device intelligence features.
Against that backdrop, leaks of darker prototype hardware provide a look into design paths Apple considered before adjusting its roadmap. They show a company testing multiple materials, colors and connector types as it refined early ideas for what the Vision line might become, even as long-term plans changed direction.
