Apple is sort of positive to take the wraps off its extremely anticipated AR/VR mixed-reality headset throughout its Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) Keynote subsequent month, however by all reviews, the precise headset received’t go on sale till later this yr — and when it does, it’s anticipated to be an expensive affair that might be very cool but in addition out of attain for many shoppers.
Though we’ve been listening to about Apple’s AR/VR headset ambitions for years, these plans started to gel in early 2021 when The Data reported that it was possible going to land within the neighborhood of $3,000 — a value that may make it the most costly cell machine Apple has ever bought.
The $10,000 18K Gold Apple Watch Version arguably beats that out, nevertheless it’s honest to say that doesn’t rely. Contained in the gold physique was the identical Apple Watch mannequin that would in any other case be picked up for effectively below $1,000, so the inflated price ticket got here totally from the supplies relatively than the know-how.
Within the case of Apple’s headset, the excessive price ticket — which analysts and leakers have repeatedly agreed might be effectively north of $2,000 — is totally a results of the form of know-how that Apple is packing into the so-called “Actuality Professional.” As each The Data and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported over two years in the past, this isn’t going to be a product designed for the lots — at the least not in its first iteration.
Even again then, Gurman’s sources mentioned that the corporate isn’t anticipating to promote multiple headset per day per retail retailer — at greatest — which might put the annual gross sales someplace round 180,000 models. By comparability, Apple sells a pair hundred million iPhones every year.
A Extra Inexpensive Mannequin within the Works
The excellent news, although, is that it appears like Apple doesn’t intend to maintain it that method. As an alternative, it seems the corporate needs to launch essentially the most highly effective mannequin first to place its greatest foot ahead and present the world what the “Actuality Professional” can do.
Whereas that identify is only a placeholder for now — no one is bound what Apple will finally name its new headset — to make use of Apple’s regular naming requirements, there’s one other “Actuality” headset that’s anticipated to reach down the highway, offering a extra inexpensive possibility for on a regular basis shoppers who need to undertake the brand new know-how.
Earlier this yr, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared information from provide chain sources that Apple has two headsets within the works. Now he’s reiterated that earlier prediction, including that Apple is making ready a second technology of its headsets that can embody two variations, “a high-end and a low-end.”
These aren’t anticipated to enter manufacturing till 2025, however Kuo notes that shipments are anticipated to be ten instances these of the “Actuality Professional” that Apple plans to unveil at WWDC and (hopefully) start promoting later this yr.
This lower-cost model will possible use inexpensive elements, corresponding to lower-resolution shows and fewer highly effective Apple Silicon, to present it a price ticket that can enchantment to a broader buyer base.
Nevertheless, Kuo means that this may also be accompanied by a second-generation mannequin of the premium headset. Presumably, at that time, Apple will divide the product lineup into two tiers prefer it’s completed with nearly each different product household, from the AirPods and iPhone to the MacBook and iPad.
By then, Apple possible hopes builders could have jumped on board and created a strong ecosystem of apps for the brand new headset, making it much more of a must-buy product. Some have likened Apple’s upcoming headset launch to how the Apple Watch arrived in 2014, and it’s not exhausting to see the parallel right here.
Apple introduced its first wearable within the fall of 2014, permitting builders to start creating apps for its new watchOS working system. The primary Apple Watch went on sale about 9 months later, within the spring of 2015, as a comparatively unfocused product in comparison with what it’s since develop into. Even the software program growth platform didn’t stabilize till watchOS 2 got here alongside later in 2015, permitting builders to create native apps that would run immediately on the wearable relatively than working from the paired iPhone.
Whereas the “Actuality Professional” will undoubtedly be able to working its personal apps, most reviews point out the first-generation mannequin will nonetheless be intently linked to an iPhone. Additional, like the unique Apple Watch, the headset is anticipated to incorporate a broad array of apps and options within the first model, permitting Apple to get suggestions from prospects and third-party builders as to what they actually need a headset to do, in a lot the identical method the Apple Watch adopted a way more particular deal with well being and health.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]