Apple has finally unveiled its long-awaited augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) headset after many years of speculation. The introduction could potentially signify a turning point in the mixed reality market after years of failed shipment expectations.
Called Apple Vision Pro, the AR/VR headset allows users to stay in the real world or be connected to others while virtual images are displayed in 3D. Users can control the mixed reality world around them through a user’s eyes, hands and voice, Apple said.
The system will use Apple’s visionOS, a spatial operating system where users interact with digital content that feels like it is a physical space. The headset has a resolution display of 23 million pixels across two displays and custom Apple silicon in a dual-chip design.
Vision Pro features
The two displays in the headset are micro-organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays with a combined 23 million pixels. It would place the Vision Pro at a higher resolution than a 4K television. The dual chip design is an Apple silicon M2 chip paired with a new R1 chip.
Additional features include:
- 12 cameras
- Five sensors
- Six microphones
- Motion sensors for head movement and eye tracking
- Gesture recognition
- Lidar cameras
- Spatial audio
- Two-hour battery
Complex production
Market research firm TrendForce said that while the Apple Vision Pro could revolutionize the AR/VR market with Apple’s loyal user base and history of innovation and design, the initial model is complex and could limit production capacity.
This could present Apple with significant challenges leading to a projected initial release in the U.S. during the first half of 2024, TrendForce said. Because of this and other factors — like a price tag of $3,499, a need for an external power source — a modest shipment volume of about 200,000 units is forecast by TrendForce for 2024.
Looking ahead
Long-term market response will depend on the introduction of consumer-oriented Apple Vision models and the ability to offer everyday functionalities that will drive growth in the AR/VR market, the company said. In the short-term, Vision Pro will appeal more to developers and enterprise customers rather than mainstream users due to a lack of sufficient applications in the headset, TrendForce said.
But this will possibly change after Apple begins to offer versions of the AR/VR headset that cater to budget constrained consumers including applications geared toward daily life like seamless integration into other Apple products.
A tumultuous history
Since 2015, Apple has been rumored to been in development of an AR/VR headset. This is about as long as the promise of a boom in the AR/VR headset and goggles.
While the AR/VR market has not declined, it has neither grown as fast as many experts have been predicting given the rise of VR gaming and AR-enabled smartphones that allow for not just gaming but also mixed reality in fashion, shopping and more.
Additionally, the rise of the metaverse was another driving motivation that was suggested to be the big motivation for headset shipments. But with the metaverse not coming to fruition like it was once thought this too may have been the wrong market driver.
But given Apple’s history and penchant for developing devices that are highly popular with consumers, this may potentially be the best chance for the market to take off.
