Apple Exploring Lower Resolution Displays for Cheaper Vision Headset

[MacRumors]

Apple is reportedly investigating the use of lower-resolution displays for a budget-friendly version of its Vision Pro spatial computing headset, according to recent reports from DigiTimes and other industry sources.

Apple has received OLED display samples from Japan Display (JDI) with a pixel density of around 1,500 pixels per inch (PPI), claims The Elec. This is significantly lower than the 3,391 PPI displays used in the current Vision Pro, which launched earlier this year starting from $3,500.

By reducing the pixel density, Apple could substantially cut down on manufacturing costs while still offering a high-quality visual experience. Indeed, reports as far back as June indicate that Apple has been sending requests for information (RFIs) to various display manufacturers, including Samsung Display and LG Display. These RFIs have reportedly asked for OLED displays with pixel densities around 1,700 PPI, suggesting Apple is exploring multiple options for its cheaper headset.

Notably, the sample provided by JDI is said to use glass core substrate (GCS) OLED technology, rather than the OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) displays currently used in the Vision Pro. This shift in display technology could further contribute to a cost reduction.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in June claimed that a cheaper Vision Pro could require a tethered iPhone or Mac to operate, which would allow Apple to save money on processing power and components needed to make it a standalone device. Gurman also claimed that an existing prototype lower-cost headset, codenamed N107, has a narrower field of view compared to Vision Pro. Apple could even potentially eliminate the EyeSight feature and use lighter weight build materials.

Regardless, the development of the device apparently remains at an early stage – DigiTimes suggests it could take two to three years before it enters mass production. That's a lot later than previous predictions that we could see a late 2025 launch. In the meantime, competition among display manufacturers to secure Apple's orders is expected to intensify, with companies from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan all vying for a piece of the potentially lucrative contract.

Article Link: Apple Exploring Lower Resolution Displays for Cheaper Vision Headset

 

[Kylo83]

It needs the same quality but get rid of the front display and make it lighter, if you ruin the optics that’s the main problem, make the fov better and more immersive

 

[MayaUser]

lower res display for a headset? im sorry but its a no go...a device that close to your eyes needs higher resolution, not lower

 

[vegetassj4]

Lower resolution? I'm ready here, with my avatar for the new Vision LE. Much sharper, and doesn't look like the warped spooky ghost of the Pro

 

[dumastudetto]

lower res display for a headset? im sorry but its a no go...a device that close to your eyes needs higher resolution, not lower

Apple Intelligence will be able to upscale the image quality dynamically in software. I'm not sure how, but I can definitely imagine it.

 

[SanderEvers]

Here a preview of the cheaper Apple Vision Pro:

 

[Kylo83]

Apple has no idea these days for anything, make the Vision Pro cheaper no one is paying that price for a head set then it will sell

 

[spartan1967]

Also needed; practical reasons to invest in this lower resolution version that will still be well over $2K.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

That's fine, but it will still be overpriced. Are they going to remove the creepy AF eyes from the front while they're at it?

Apple has no clue what to do with Vision Pro. The problem isn't that it's an expensive cabbage waxer, it's that it's a cabbage waxer.

 

[vegetassj4]

Here a preview of the cheaper Apple Vision Pro:

My supply chain insider has leaked a different rendering

 

[contacos]

I wouldn't mind a stripped down version that does not do much more than media consumption. I don't even need eye tracking (if it means keeping the costs down) and some controllers instead.

I guess what I am saying is I want my Meta Quest 3 but with proper streaming app support haha I wish the Apple iTunes (?) Movie Store and Disney+ were available on Meta.

 

[JPack]

It’s a given since there’s not much else to cut from VP. The front display costs nothing and is low res but adds a social element.

What else is Apple going to do to cut $1,000 from the cost? Reduce the size of the cardboard box and fabric bands?

 

[Roscorito]

Preview of the budget digital avatars:

 

[WarmWinterHat]

What else is Apple going to do to cut $1,000 from the cost?

The creepy googly eyes. 👀

 

[Dawn of Individual Merit]

Does Apple really think the problem is "oh no, too much advanced technology in this thing" instead of "there is no real use case"?

 

[Rychiar]

This should all be much further along by now. Whats the pixel density of the quest 3? Just copy that but with apples OS and most would be happy . As a pro user I just want to get more developers in the ecosystem. Make the cheap one come with controllers and then sell them separately for the pro so we can have them. I don’t know why everyone commenting about eyesight thinks that removing that is gonna somehow fix the price issue… it’s the lowest res OLED screen ever on the front…

 

[krspkbl]

No...if anything they should be improving resolution.

• Get rid of the front display
• 90Hz only. 60Hz is good enough for iPhone 16... right Apple? 😂
• I'm sure they could get rid of some cameras/sensors.
• If the optic id sensor is expensive replace it with touch ID
• Less mics
• Make as much of it as plastic as possible

For something that is strapped on your head for you to look at 100% of the time then visual quality isn't something that should be compromised.

 

[brofkand]

I don't think lower resolution displays are the answer. The Vision Pro has a huge content problem right now, and the main issue behind that (aside from the fact that nobody is buying the product) is the fact that Apple has burned all their developer goodwill, so nobody wants to write apps for it.

 

[ninethirty]

I own this thing. It's amazing for watching movies in a theater-like experience. For about an hour. And that's where it ends.

Really interesting and cool technology, but in its current form, it's just not ready for mass adoption. Outside of a contact lens that can do all the same stuff, I don't know if it ever will be.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

Apple is reportedly investigating the use of lower-resolution displays for a budget-friendly version of its Vision Pro spatial computing headset, according to recent reports from DigiTimes and other industry sources.

Apple has received OLED display samples from Japan Display (JDI) with a pixel density of around 1,500 pixels per inch (PPI), claims The Elec. This is significantly lower than the 3,391 PPI displays used in the current Vision Pro, which launched earlier this year starting from $3,500.

By reducing the pixel density, Apple could substantially cut down on manufacturing costs while still offering a high-quality visual experience. Indeed, reports as far back as June indicate that Apple has been sending requests for information (RFIs) to various display manufacturers, including Samsung Display and LG Display. These RFIs have reportedly asked for OLED displays with pixel densities around 1,700 PPI, suggesting Apple is exploring multiple options for its cheaper headset.

Notably, the sample provided by JDI is said to use glass core substrate (GCS) OLED technology, rather than the OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) displays currently used in the Vision Pro. This shift in display technology could further contribute to a cost reduction.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in June claimed that a cheaper Vision Pro could require a tethered iPhone or Mac to operate, which would allow Apple to save money on processing power and components needed to make it a standalone device. Gurman also claimed that an existing prototype lower-cost headset, codenamed N107, has a narrower field of view compared to Vision Pro. Apple could even potentially eliminate the EyeSight feature and use lighter weight build materials.

Regardless, the development of the device apparently remains at an early stage – DigiTimes suggests it could take two to three years before it enters mass production. That's a lot later than previous predictions that we could see a late 2025 launch. In the meantime, competition among display manufacturers to secure Apple's orders is expected to intensify, with companies from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan all vying for a piece of the potentially lucrative contract.

Article Link: Apple Exploring Lower Resolution Displays for Cheaper Vision Headset

I cannot believe I wasted so much money on this thing.

 

[fwmireault]

Apple Intelligence will be able to upscale the image quality dynamically in software. I'm not sure how, but I can definitely imagine it.

1) what the hell are you talking about
2) why are you presenting that as a fact
3) software cannot magically create more pixels

 

[iPay]

As a lawyer, I was concerned that smallprint would become too visible. Now I'm relieved

 

[krspkbl]

I own this thing. It's amazing for watching movies in a theater-like experience. For about an hour. And that's where it ends.

Really interesting and cool technology, but in its current form, it's just not ready for mass adoption. Outside of a contact lens that can do all the same stuff, I don't know if it ever will be.

They need content and to give people a reason to use it. They can gradually slim it down over time and improve the tech inside it. It's a long way away from appealing to the masses but I think it can have a purpose. Contact display is the "end game" but that's even further away.

Price is the biggest issue but I'm not sure how much Apple is willing to reduce the price. It needs to be $2,000 cheaper for starters.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

I own this thing. It's amazing for watching movies in a theater-like experience. For about an hour. And that's where it ends.

Really interesting and cool technology, but in its current form, it's just not ready for mass adoption. Outside of a contact lens that can do all the same stuff, I don't know if it ever will be.

Every time I think about using it, I think, "do I really want to put that big thing on my head and slip that battery in my pocket?"

The answer is usually, "naw, just easier and faster to do things on my Mac."

If that giant, 48 inch wide screen mode thing ever comes out, I might have a solid reason to use it.

I guess it's fine--when I bought the AVP, I just figured I would skip this year's phone, watch and any upcoming Macs given what I paid for it.

Appears I'm not missing much from the new phones or watches, though, so a push!

 

[Ghost31]

The higher resolution and crispness is one of THE reasons the Vision Pro is so alluring. Comparatively, everything else on the market just feels “ok” and AVP’s experience was “hey. Check out this high resolution tv for your eyeballs”. Low resolution? Ok. Now we gotta low resolution tv for our eyeballs that will undoubtably be more expensive than a regular 4k tv. They should have kept 4k as a standard with room to move up. There’s new displays in development for 5k and even 8k that would have given apple room for upgrades later on

Even for the hateriest of haters they would at least agree “ok well its the price of an expensive tv so at least there’s that”

hopefully its not…super noticeably low. We’ll see i guess.