Apple plans to launch mixed reality headphones, long rumors, “in the middle of 2022”, followed by augmented reality glasses by 2025, well-regarded analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a research note from TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors.
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“We predict that Apple’s MR / AR product roadmap includes three phases: headset type by 2022, eyeglass type by 2025 and contact lens type by 2030-2040,” Kuo wrote. “We anticipate that the headset will provide AR and VR experiences, while the types of glasses and contact lenses are more likely to focus on AR applications.”
Kuo said several prototypes of Apple’s mixed-reality headset currently weigh 200-300 grams, but said the final weight will be reduced to 100-200 grams if Apple can solve technical issues that would be significantly lighter. than many existing VR devices. Due to a complex design, Kuo expects the headset to be priced at about $ 1,000 in the United States, in line with the price of a “high-end iPhone”.
According to previous rumors, Kuo said that the headset will be equipped with Micro-OLED displays from Sony and more optical modules to provide a “visible AR experience”, adding that the headset can also provide an experience VR ”.
Kuo said the headset will be “portable”, with storage power and independent storage, but not really “mobile” like an iPhone. “As technology improves, we believe the new headset product can also increase its mobility,” he said.
Kuo believes the Apple headset has the potential to provide a “captivating experience that is significantly better than existing VR products.”
Last month, information reported that the headset will be equipped with more than a dozen cameras for tracking hand movements, along with two 8K high-resolution displays and advanced eye tracking technology. The cameras will be able to view real-world videos through the viewfinder and display them to the user.
“Although Apple has focused on AR, we believe that the hardware specifications of this product can provide a captivating experience that is significantly better than existing VR products. We believe that Apple could integrate this headset with video-related applications (for example, Apple TV +, Apple Arcade, etc.) as one of the key selling points. “
As for Apple’s augmented reality glasses, Kuo expects an early release in 2025 and believes that “there is no prototype yet.”
Kuo said the glasses will provide an “optical visual AR experience” and will be positioned more as a “mobile” product than mixed-reality headphones. “While the headset offers an excellent captivating experience, the glasses focus more on providing a ‘mobile + AR’ experience,” he said. Kuo is looking forward to integrating Apple Glasses with the much-anticipated Apple Car rumor, which is likely a few years away.
Finally, Kuo looked far into the future and predicted that Apple would launch “contact lenses” sometime after 2030. He said the product would bring electronics from the era of “visible computing” to “invisible computing.” , but did not provide further details.
Apple is heavily involved in mixed reality / augmented reality technologies, according to Kuo, who has a “positive outlook” for Apple’s future in space. Kuo said the main beneficiaries of the headset’s supply chain include Sony (exclusive display provider), Pegatron (EMS exclusive) and related optical component suppliers.