Microsoft Discontinuing Mixed Reality HoloLens 2 Headset
Microsoft has announced plans to discontinue production of its mixed reality HoloLens 2 headsets. The company will stop producing new units, and sales will cease once existing stock is depleted.
Although security updates for the HoloLens 2 will continue until December 31, 2027, Microsoft plans to end all software support for the device after that date.
Originally introduced in 2016, the HoloLens series marked Microsoft’s entry into the mixed reality space. The second version, HoloLens 2, launched in 2019. However, these headsets, which have always been on the pricier side, were primarily targeted at enterprise customers rather than the general consumer market.
As of now, it seems that Microsoft has no immediate plans for a new HoloLens iteration. Rumors of a third version surfaced in 2022, but the project was reportedly shelved, attributed to both internal hardware development challenges and a lack of focus. Additionally, Microsoft has been reducing the size of its mixed reality team throughout 2023 and 2024.
Despite winding down its HoloLens projects, Microsoft remains committed to supporting its Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), an augmented reality headset designed for the U.S. Army. This AR headset is slated for testing in early 2025 to assess its feasibility for large-scale production.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been collaborating with Meta to integrate Xbox Cloud Gaming and Office apps with the Quest headsets. The company is also working on incorporating Windows 11 into the Quest ecosystem.
In the broader AR/VR market, Apple continues its investment by developing its Vision Pro headset, targeting both consumers and enterprise customers. Though the Vision Pro shares some of the HoloLens’ drawbacks, such as a high price point, Apple is pressing on with plans for a second iteration, possibly arriving as soon as 2025.
