Apple considered producing a version of the Apple Vision Pro in black, and could still do so in the future, if an image of a reportedly leaked internal version of the headset is accurate.

The Apple Vision Pro is very much a light-colored device, with official accessories to match. However, it seems Apple may have thought about creating a version with a different color palette.

A photograph shared by Apple prototype collector Kosutami on X displays what appears to be the power strap of the Apple Vision Pro. Also seen in the image is the circular connector to the battery pack and one of the Audio Pods.

Key to the image is that these components are all black, save for light gray indicators for fastening the connector and a white dot. This is not an officially released colorway for the Apple Vision Pro at all.

This may not be the first time we have seen this particular battery connector. Back in April, the leaker shared images of a graphite or dark blue version of the component, complete with a Lightning-style plug at one end.

The text supporting the post includes a hashtag for "Apple Internal," which probably refers to it being a behind-closed-doors prototype used only inside Apple itself.

The leaker, Kosutami, has a relatively mixed record when it comes to rumor accuracy. While the account has previously shared pre-production HomePod hardware images, it has also been very inaccurate when it comes to the Apple Watch.

Just a test unit

The existence of alternate colorways of Apple products should be unsurprising. In developing new products, major companies often try out multiple color options before settling on the initial release roster.

This probably happened with the Apple Watch Ultra, as some early reports about an updated model proposed that a dark titanium edition was on the way, which it eventually did. But those same rumors also said Apple's designers considered the aesthetic but initially rejected it.

Sometimes, internal versions of devices are colored differently as a means to identify which is production and which is test hardware.

There is also the possibility that it could be a colorway for a future model, or the device is so low volume and difficult to produce that Apple abandoned alternate colors for this model. There has been speculation that a lighter Apple Vision Air could turn up in 2027, which could also sport more color options for consumers.

That same headset may also cut weight through the use of titanium instead of aluminum, with Kosutami saying in April that it could arrive in an "iPhone 5-era black."