Apple Working on Cheaper Version of AR/VR Headset Priced Similarly to iPhone

[MacRumors]

Multiple rumors have indicated that Apple's first AR/VR headset coming later this year will be priced somewhere around $3,000, but a future version will be more affordable, according to reports from The Information and Bloomberg. Apple is already developing a more "budget-friendly" AR/VR headset that could be priced similarly to the iPhone.

Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo​

The current iPhone 14 models are priced starting at $799 and go up to $1599 for the highest-end model with 1TB storage, but there is no word on where in that range the cheaper headset might fall. The headset will reportedly compete with Meta's mixed reality headset, which is priced at $1,500.

Apple engineers plan to use more affordable components to bring the price down, but the lower-priced headset will have the same general AR/VR "mixed reality" functionality of the headset launching in 2023. The chips in the device will be on par with the iPhone, rather than the Mac-level chips used in the first AR/VR headset, and Apple may also use lower resolution internal displays and cheaper materials.

As of right now, development on the more affordable headset is in the early stages and Apple has not created a working prototype. The Information says that "significant" work on the device started last year, and at the time, the goal was to launch the cheap headset in 2024. Apple could introduce a budget mixed reality headset in either 2024 or 2025, according to Bloomberg.

For almost all product categories, Apple has both premium and more affordable versions of devices, so it is no surprise that the company has plans for a more consumer friendly mixed reality headset to join the high-end ~$3,000 version coming later in the year.

With the focus now on a more affordable AR/VR headset, Bloomberg says that Apple is delaying the augmented reality Apple Glasses that it had been working on. The rollout of the Apple Glasses has been postponed indefinitely, and work on the device has been pared back.

Apple's first AR/VR headset could be introduced as soon as this spring, but the device has seen multiple delays during its development. The $3,000 price point is due to the high-end components that Apple is using, including dual 4K displays from Sony, over a dozen cameras, an external battery pack, and more. Details on the AR/VR headset can be found in our roundup.

Article Link: Apple Working on Cheaper Version of AR/VR Headset Priced Similarly to iPhone

 

[Paddle1]

Still pretty expensive for something most don't have much interest in. What can Apple do to differentiate from existing AR/VR devices to make it more desirable?

 

[richinaus]

this was obvious.
I have no idea why everyone was complaining about a $3000 headset when it is clearly for developers to create experiences for a more consumer model, which by the time it is released will have some great content and apps developed.

no doubt the negativity will start and tell us all there are no uses for this and its doomed.

I would equate this point in XR the same as mobile phones were when you used to have to carry the briefcase battery with them.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Still find it too gimmicky. 😖

Call it AR/VR Headset SE model.

Why not find out if people are even interested in that $3,000 (without tax) Apple AR/VR headset first?

 

[richinaus]

Still pretty expensive for something most don't have much interest in. What can Apple do to differentiate from existing AR/VR devices to make it more desirable?

Which AR devices ?

 

[richinaus]

Still find it too gimmicky. 😖

Call it AR/VR Headset SE model.

Why not find out if people are even interested in that $3,000 (without tax) Apple AR/VR headset first?

I would not expect anybody to purchase a $3000 headset unless they were going to use it to create apps / experiences with. You would be insane to.

 

[JippaLippa]

Which iPhone, the 2TB 15 Pro Max?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Still pretty expensive for something most don't have much interest in. What can Apple do to differentiate from existing AR/VR devices to make it more desirable?

To differentiate: I guess to offer a personal shopping experience at an Apple Store. Don’t bother the Genius or Apple Specialists.

Apple Store App to Offer Augmented Reality Shopping Feature on Your iPhone

A future version of the Apple Store app will offer an augmented reality feature that allows customers to point their iPhone toward a product like a...

www.macrumors.com

 

[JippaLippa]

I would not expect anybody to purchase a $3000 headset unless they were going to use it to create apps / experiences with. You would be insane to.

I'd like to create experiences with it, and it's still too expensive.

 

[Paddle1]

Which AR devices ?

The iOS devices for starters. I don't really know any dedicated ones that are popular.

 

[Crowbot]

For the price of an iPhone I'm in. It could be fun. Even if it doesn't have all the doodads.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I would not expect anybody to purchase a $3000 headset unless they were going to use it to create apps / experiences with. You would be insane to.

At this point, I don’t even care if it works or not. I just want to see what it’s going to look like. The AR/VR headset rumors/reports have been going on for far too long now.

 

[twolf2919]

This is getting ridiculous: MacRumor rationalizing it’s spreading of a mere rumor of a cheaper AR/VR by telling us that this cheaper headset makes sense since Apple always brings out a cheaper version of a more expensive product - even if that more expensive product is also just a rumor.

I guess anything to get them clicks, eh?

 

[lovehateapple]

Seems like a backwards approach, if you ask me, but hopefully apple knows what it's doing.

 

[sparky1499]

High end device for developers and an iPhone priced model for Joe Public. Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[till]

I'm still skeptical that Apple will introduce a new exciting consumer product line that starts at $3000. Seems like a recipe for failure.

Maybe this year is just a dev kit that gets launched at WWDC, with the actual rollout next year.

 

[lovehateapple]

This is getting ridiculous: MacRumor rationalizing it’s spreading of a mere rumor of a cheaper AR/VR by telling us that this cheaper headset makes sense since Apple always brings out a cheaper version of a more expensive product - even if that more expensive product is also just a rumor.

I guess anything to get them clicks, eh?

This isn't the first time MR has reported on the rumor of a later second cheaper AR / VR apple headset.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Other than for professional applications or gaming, I see no need for this. The shame about that is that traditionally Apple does not really target the enterprise or gamers.

 

[longofest]

The standard bearer in this market right now is the Meta Quest 2. It has one of the highest resolution displays out there, and it has on-board processing to be able to do a lot of stuff without having to be tethered to a computer. But if you want a higher fidelity experience than the onboard processor can provide, there is a USB-C jack that allows you to connect the headset with a computer to drive it from, say, steam VR, or other higher powered creative apps.

A multi-thousand dollar AR/VR headset is just silly. I honestly don't know what experience they are going to be able to deliver that would demand that kind of price tag.

 

[JapanApple]

This is getting ridiculous: MacRumor rationalizing it’s spreading of a mere rumor of a cheaper AR/VR by telling us that this cheaper headset makes sense since Apple always brings out a cheaper version of a more expensive product - even if that more expensive product is also just a rumor.

I guess anything to get them clicks, eh?

yes, correct........hence the name of the site "MAC RUMORS" I don't give much greed to stories here. I just wait until the releases are real. This is a play site to watch for me.

 

[longofest]

yes, correct........hence the name of the site "MAC RUMORS" I don't give much greed to stories here. I just wait until the releases are real. This is a play site to watch for me.

I mean... the site name does include the name "rumors". Its what the site is about.

And for those who say "but it should be about MACS..." well, go to applerumors.com then !

 

[wilhoitm]

Apple is going to release the Apple Car before the Apple AR/VR Headset or Apple Glass!

 

[twolf2919]

This isn't the first time MR has reported on the rumor of a later second cheaper AR / VR apple headset.

Yes, I guess the word “reporting” is getting quite the abuse these days. Here’s the definition: “give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated.” These days it’s almost 100% the “heard” part. It used to be almost entirely of actual events/facts.

 

[sleven]

Still pretty expensive for something most don't have much interest in. What can Apple do to differentiate from existing AR/VR devices to make it more desirable?

I may be way off base, but I agree, largely because of the “effort” in putting it all on. Strap on the battery pack, put the headset on, find controllers. I’m certainly aware that VR is an experience. It’s not like picking up the phone and swiping to get to content. I just don’t see a lot of people doing the effort part to get to similar things - at least until there is more awareness around the differentiators that AR/VR provide.

 

[jz0309]

So high power for developers, and so so for us consumers - doesn’t make sense to me.

I am suspicious at this point that Apple is planting these rumors to test the water…