Over the past two years, we’ve heard plenty of rumours regarding Apple and its AR, VR and mixed reality (MR) endeavours. Even on price alone, we’ve seen figures ranging between US$1000 and US$3000. In a new research note by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new figure is described as between US$2000 and US$2500.
In said research note, Kuo also says that Apple intends to finally announce the much rumoured headset in a January 2023 event. But thanks to its price, Kuo predicts that shipments of the device are unlikely to exceed 1.5 million units. Which makes sense, since that kind of price range places it way beyond the average consumer range, and more akin to enterprise tools like the Microsoft HoloLens 2.
And it may have the onboard processing power to match the price too. In a prior research note, Kuo mentioned the rumoured Apple headset having a processor that has “the same level of computing power as the M1”. On features, a previous report by The Information noted that it will have two 8K displays on the inside, and over a dozen cameras on the outside. These cameras are used to track hand movements, as well as recording the real world to be shown to the wearer.
One thing that has definitely slipped is the reveal window. Prior reports pegged the unveiling of the Apple MR headset to be sometime in the middle of this year, which was two months ago. The reveal obviously didn’t happen, and with the new announcement date being set for January of next year, the next model is now scheduled to launch in the first half of 2025, along side a more affordable model.
Prior reports also made mention of AR glasses. Back in 2019, this had an expected release date of 2023. More recent reports peg this to be the appearing in 2025.
(Source: Ming-Chi Kuo via MacRumors)
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