The Apple mixed reality headset is expected to cost a hefty $3,000.
The launch of a much-anticipated mixed reality headset by American tech major Apple can reportedly get pushed back. According to an Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the MR headset will not be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference which is scheduled between June 5 and June 9.
“Because Apple isn’t very optimistic about the AR/MR headset announcement recreating the astounding “iPhone moment,” the mass production schedule for assembly has been pushed back by another 1-2 months to mid-to-late 3Q23. The delay also adds uncertainty to whether the new device will appear at WWDC 2023, as the market widely expects,” Kuo Tweeted.
The analyst added that the iPhone maker is not optimistic about the launch of the MR headset due to the “economic downturn, compromises on some hardware specifications for mass production (such as weight), the readiness of the ecosystem and applications, a high selling price (USD 3,000-4,000 or even higher), etc.”
Additionally, due to the delay in mass production for assembly, the shipment forecast this year is only 200,000 to 300,000 units, lower than the market consensus of 500,000 units or more, Kuo said. There is no official confirmation about the same from Apple yet.
Apple’s mixed reality headset, which would combine both augmented and virtual reality, was expected to be launched at the company’s Spring event this year. The headset is expected to cost a hefty $3,000 (around Rs 2,45,000) due to “the use of advanced and high-resolution displays, more than 10 cameras, sensors to determine where a user is looking, and both a Mac-grade M2 processor and a dedicated chip for handling AR and VR visuals,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported.
In January, it was also reported that Apple’s augmented-reality glasses will not be launched anytime soon, due to technical challenges. Earlier, the tech giant planned to release AR glasses after the release of the mixed-reality headset. However, that part of the plan is now on hold.
