June 18 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) has suspended work on

its next high-end Vision headset, the Information reported on

Tuesday, citing an employee at a manufacturer that makes key

components for the Vision Pro.

The iPhone maker is still working on releasing a more

affordable Vision product with fewer features before the end of

next year, the report said, citing a person involved in its

supply chain and one person in the manufacturing of the

headsets.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for

comment.

The company plans to sell its Vision Pro in eight new

countries, including China and Japan, in a bid to spruce up

sales of the $3,500 device, which has been grappling with slower

demand after initial enthusiasm.

Earlier this month, Apple ( AAPL ) held its annual developer

conference, where it unveiled its long-awaited AI strategy and

announced a partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

The event has also given a boost to Apple's ( AAPL ) shares, which

have now risen over 11% so far this year after trailing behind

their Big-Tech peers at the start of the year due to softer

iPhone demand in China.

Apple ( AAPL ) had originally planned to divide its Vision product

into two models, similar to the standard and Pro versions of its

iPhone, the report said.

The company had been reducing priority for the successor to

the Vision Pro for the past year, assigning fewer employees to

work on the next model over time, while focusing on reducing the

costs of the first-generation's components, the report added.