Apple cuts over 200 jobs across Vision Pro and Siri teams in pivot to smart glasses

Division layoffs and restructuring

Apple eliminated more than 200 jobs across its hardware and software engineering teams as part of a realignment toward next-generation devices and artificial intelligence. The reductions removed approximately 100 positions from the Vision Pro organization and another 100 from the Siri and Intelligent Systems Experience teams. Earlier internal estimates during the week had placed the Vision Pro reduction at about 60 people before the total count reached over 200 across multiple groups. The software cuts specifically targeted employees maintaining legacy voice-assistant infrastructure rather than modern large language models. Apple confirmed the workforce reduction and stated that it plans to open alternative positions for affected personnel.

While we will create new roles as part of this change, it will also impact a limited number of existing roles.

Headset economics and gaming retreat

The Vision Pro organization took direct reductions within its media and interactive entertainment divisions. Apple largely shut down its dedicated gaming group and curtailed the size of the team tasked with producing proprietary immersive video. Producing immersive three-dimensional episodes required multiple dedicated crews of employees and external contractors, driving production expenses to several million dollars per episode for a small user base. The headset initially launched in early 2024 at $3,499 and was later updated with an M5 chip, though high retail prices up to $3,699 and hardware bulk constrained sales. Apple additionally suspended joint development work with Samsung Display on dedicated display panels for a cheaper entry-level headset.

Wearable roadmap and smart glasses

Company leadership informed staff that the Vision Pro line and the visionOS operating system will continue, with a refreshed headset model planned for release as early as 2028. Apple has redirected multiple engineering teams toward developing smart glasses designed to rival Meta's $299 line produced with EssilorLuxottica. Hardware teams are currently testing four distinct frame designs that exclude complex immersive video and gaming hardware to minimize weight and production expenses. Internal development schedules target an announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2027, followed by a commercial release by late 2027. The division experienced a key leadership change when the vice president overseeing Vision Pro left Apple to join OpenAI.

Software overhaul and operating pressures

The parallel cuts within the software group accompany a complete architectural rebuild of the Siri digital assistant. Apple introduced its revamped, AI-powered Siri system at the 2026 developers conference, with public beta access scheduled for later this year under the iOS 27 release. This technical transition requires specialized expertise in machine learning rather than legacy voice-assistant infrastructure, prompting the reallocation of personnel. Broader commercial pressures have also influenced hardware operations, including component memory shortages tied to industry-wide AI infrastructure expansion that increased manufacturing costs. Apple responded earlier this summer by raising prices on Mac computers and iPads, launching hardware leasing programs, and filing a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of trade theft.