Cheaper Apple Vision Headset Likely to Launch by End of 2025

[ipedro]

If you watch the Gruber show/interview, the Apple execs go on about how core EyeSight and what it represents is to the product and to Apple. They can’t exclude it on any headsets now. Maybe a cheaper solution but the essence has to remain.

I've considered that. Potentially, it could be replaced by a HomePod-like blurred lighting apparatus to show the state the user is in, whether they can see you and you can speak to them vs being in a completely isolated state, rather than displaying their eyes directly.

The EyeSight assembly is an entire other device. It's not just a display, it's a system that reproduces your eyes and shows slightly varied versions in each direction, using a cutting edge curved lenticular display. That's an obvious target for getting the cost down, possibly by close to $1000 for that assembly alone.

But yes, I see Apple's motivation for EyeSight, and if they can find a cheaper way of doing the same, I think they'll do that rather than a fully opaque front. Ultimately, having a transparent interior display with variable occlusion would allow for discarding EyeSight entirely as you'd see through the front glass when they're in AR but that would be something to appear in the more expensive VisionPro first, then make its way down.

 

[kfireven]

I don't understand this discussion really. Apple knows that 3500$ is not realistic for most customers, they purposely gave this specific device that price and the name "Pro". This device is not aimed at customers but at devs and creators mainly, and most importantly its aim is to be the first in the market (Meta doesn't count).

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Then text will not be crisp destroying a major piece of the special computing. I think it’s only going to go up from here.

As someone who's been a frequent VR user for three years, the text will be fine at 1440p. It's 1080p that the text quality begins to dip

 

[kfireven]

As someone who's been a frequent VR user for three years, the text will be fine at 1440p. It's 1080p that the text quality begins to dip

The Quest 2 has about the same resolution of 1440p per eye and the text on virtual screens is like a pixelated blurry mess and completely unusable if readable at all.

 

[JitteryJimmy]

Apple still plans to launch a more affordable version of its Vision Pro headset by the end of 2025, with the non-Pro model likely to be called "Apple Vision One," or more simply, "Apple Vision,"

Love the Obvious Gurman News. It would be news if his guesses were non-obvious, like:

• No future version of the headset will ever be more affordable than the $3500 Vision Pro.
• The non-Pro version will be likely be called the "Visionette XR Junior III".
• Apple will launch the non-Pro version in January, 2024.

 

[BionicPurist]

**duplicate**

 

[bobenhaus]

She looks stoned or just dont care .

 

[BionicPurist]

Existing iPhones can already shoot in a form of 3D, which is what Portrait Mode is. The telephoto lens offset from the primary lens enables the iPhone to separate the background and see slightly behind the subject from different angles. VisionPro appears to have a more life-like 3D, where you can see slightly different perspectives of the foreground subject in each eye.

Every iPhone sold today will already provide 3D content for Apple's Vision line, though a future iPhone might have lenses further apart to create that richer 3D. I also think that iPhones and iPads will be able to view these 3D pictures, in the same way as parallax wallpapers could be seen, by moving the phone.

We're entering a new era. Apple is going deep into 3D (ha a pun!) and we can expect to see it integrated further across their entire product line from cameras to possibly even displays like the Nintendo 3DS.

Your understanding of 3D, particularly as it is used in VR/AR, is incorrect and almost extremely watering down what 3D is. IPhones do not currently shoot in a form of 3D by using portrait mode.

Shooting video and photos in 3D requires at least two separate camera lenses spaced apart. Viewing these images requires a display that is capable of presenting the two separate images to each eye. You will not be viewing these on your iPhone or iPad, at least not unless Apple releases a 3D capable display, which is unlikely given that the future is in technology like Apple Vision as it evolves and becomes smaller/easier to wear and use.

 

[jimbobb24]

”Start with a low price to create a market,” … said no one at Apple, ever.

I was going to say the same thing but less clever. Only example of this are the AirPods which when they came out were ridiculously cheap in the category and now are premium price as the technology advanced.

 

[Rogifan]

It'll give you a better experience than a high-end home cinema that cost several times more for one..

But you’re wearing googles.

 

[Rogifan]

It isn't meant for the average consumer.

Really? That’s not how it was presented in the keynote.

 

[kfireven]

Really? That’s not how it was presented in the keynote.

What did you expect? that they'll reveal their brand new platform with a boring dev PowerPoint presentation?😄

 

[boss.king]

And where did "Series" anything ever fit with anything before that? Seems like each category has its own "vision" for naming.

Like I said, I have very little faith in their ability to name their products well.

 

[dampfnudel]

Several hundreds less? What are we talking here? $2500? $2000? $1500? All those still seem out of reach for most

$1,500 would be the price that gets me tempted and I guess Apple knows a price around what you currently pay for a top capacity 14 iPhone Pro/Pro Max would be the trigger for a lot of people. If the “cheaper” Apple Vision comes out at that price is seriously in doubt as I would expect a price between $2,000 and $2,500 more likely, at least initially.

 

[dampfnudel]

I seriously doubt Apple would charge close to the cost of manufacturing the Vision Pro.

 

[coolfactor]

You're still not catching a glance from me unless you go under $500 or so.

Vision Pro is a full computer. The only way you'd see a version at that price is if they had an existing Apple device (Mac, iPhone, iPad) be the computer for the headset. That way, they could keep the price down without compromising on features.

 

[4odomi]

Apple still plans to launch a more affordable version of its Vision Pro headset by the end of 2025, with the non-Pro model likely to be called "Apple Vision One," or more simply, "Apple Vision," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reiterated his understanding that Apple is working on a cheaper version of its headset, signaling that it is pursuing a two-product strategy, like it does by offering a standard iPhone and iPhone Pro.

Since the Vision Pro's $3,499 price is thought to be at or near the cost to make it, Gurman speculates that Apple could replace the twin 4K microLED displays and M2 Apple silicon chip with cheaper alternative components, and use fewer cameras.

The company could also go with a simpler headband design with no integrated speakers, requiring wearers to use AirPods for spatial audio instead. However, there are a few things Gurman believes Apple will not compromise on:
Speculating on headset rumors before Apple unveiled Vision Pro, some commentators suggested it would make no sense to add the financial cost of an outward-facing display to the already expensive device and sap its battery life even quicker, but Apple clearly regards the EyeSight feature as a key differentiator from enclosed AR/VR headsets, and the one that allows users to feel like they remain in touch with other people.

Achieving cheaper material costs in other areas, combined with a more streamlined production process, could allow Apple to reduce the price of the headset by several hundred dollars, according to Gurman.

Apple's plan to release a cheaper version of its "spatial computing" headset was first reported in January by The Information and Bloomberg. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also reported Apple's intention to have a two-tiered headset category lineup by the end of 2025.

Article Link: Cheaper Apple Vision Headset Likely to Launch by End of 2025

I wouldn't want a compromised product, just for a few hundred $ cheaper.
More likely scenario is, when the M3 version launches (not by the end of 2025) this current version will become considerably cheaper and will likely be renamed as Apple Vision

 

[4odomi]

Vision Pro is a full computer. The only way you'd see a version at that price is if they had an existing Apple device (Mac, iPhone, iPad) be the computer for the headset. That way, they could keep the price down without compromising on features.

Now....I can see that happening

 

[4odomi]

I cannot believe AVP at $3500 generates almost no profit. What components would cost so much to make it non-profitable?

It costs $1500 to produce, however, they will have to sell at least 30 mil units (if not more) to get back the cost of development of 8 years, hence no profit until then 😊

 

[4odomi]

It does make you wonder why.
Here's a link to a Bloomberg article mentioning the same thing.

Link

More likely, the device wasn't ready to wear for people wearing glasses 😊
The image & meme possibly?

 

[cardfan]

Vision Pro is a full computer. The only way you'd see a version at that price is if they had an existing Apple device (Mac, iPhone, iPad) be the computer for the headset. That way, they could keep the price down without compromising on features.

Nope, vision pro is a wireless monitor for a mac. You still need a mac close by along with a kb and mouse which looks to be a joke.

As for ipad apps, they need to be ported to or allowed to be in the visionOS app store. Since they'll look like garbage and are already limited, who really cares about this.

Apps need to be created for visionOS. Since this isn't macOS, you won't see anything too useful.

Think of the vision pro as apple's tv set Jobs talked about long ago. This is what it'll be great at. That is, if you don't have anyone else around who wants to watch it with you..lol

 

[itsboi]

Isn't the Micro OLED half of the BOM?

They can substitute with 2K OLED, plastic, and silicone.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Apple are going to have to subsidise the premium experience for the masses at some point. Facebook is obviously willing to do it and has the money to do it if it thinks it could be worth it. Maybe in five years time when it looks more like a pair of glasses than a set of goggles.

 

[GadgetBen]

Apple Glass

 

[Paninnguaq]

Apple Vision One name suggests that the cheaper option will have screen for one eye only (left one probably) and it gives significantly cost reductio. It may go even further with just one speaker but let’s wait what Kuo tell in the nearest future.

The Apple Vision Pirate