Microsoft ceases production of HoloLens 2

Microsoft has officially announced the discontinuation of the HoloLens 2. In a recent statement to UploadVR, the company emphasized that customers and partners interested in acquiring this advanced holographic computer should place their orders promptly to avoid missing out on remaining stock. This indicates that Microsoft has ceased production of both the original HoloLens and its second generation, and there are currently no indications of a new successor in development.

Despite halting production, Microsoft will continue to provide support for HoloLens 2 through security updates and critical patches until 2028, ensuring ongoing functionality for existing users.

The HoloLens 2 was first unveiled over five years ago by Alex Kipman, who departed from Microsoft in 2022. The reveal took place on February 24, 2019, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The commercial launch occurred in September 2019, with the first customers receiving their devices in November of the same year.

An overview of the HoloLens 2 components

Similar to Apple’s VisionPro VR headset, the HoloLens 2 is priced at $3,500. It operates on a specialized version of Windows 10 Holographic, utilizing the Snapdragon 850 processor. Transitioning from the first to the second generation, Microsoft enhanced the field of view—addressing a key criticism of the original HoloLens—improved ergonomics, and significantly upgraded the performance of its Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) to provide better image stability and additional hardware-based features.

The HoloLens has gained traction among business clientele, with the US Army actively testing HoloLens-based IVAS headsets. Notably, Microsoft reassured UploadVR that it is “fully committed”to its partnership with the US Army, solidifying its stance following the company’s previous announcements in December 2023 regarding the discontinuation of its Windows Mixed Reality Platform and the layoffs in the Mixed Reality division disclosed in June 2024.

There were speculations that Microsoft would unveil a third-generation HoloLens, featuring significant hardware enhancements. However, plans for this release have reportedly been canceled due to “confusion and strategic uncertainty”within the organization.

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