Apple is working on a cheaper version of its (allegedly) forthcoming mixed reality headset, to appeal to a wider market – according to new reports.
If you’ve been living under a rock, the big rumors are that Apple will (for some reason) unveil a VR/mixed reality headset at WWDC this year.
The general consensus is that this will be something of a concept device – that will kick off its realityOS work, which will eventually be the basis for AR glasses in the future.
> Apple VR/VR headset – everything we know
But the headset itself will allegedly cost around $2,000 or more, if you believe the hype, thanks to the cost of the dual micro-OLED displays.
Now a report from Nikkei states that Apple is working with Foxconn to develop a lower-cost version.
The main headset is being developed with Luxshare, but Nikkei reports that Foxconn is being charged with getting prices down:
“Foxconn's focus will be on automating mass production and improving production performance to help Apple lower overall costs, according to two people familiar with the plans,” reads the report.
This means that Apple could have multiple VR headsets on the market, before its AR glasses hits the market, which could be after 2026, according to recent reports.
The mind still boggles that Apple will launch a $2,000 VR headset – with such limited interest in the space.
Yes, it’s early days – and perhaps VR needs Apple to kickstart consumer interest. So it will be fascinating to see how this plays out.
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James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.
He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.
James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.