Apple's mixed reality headset lineup is poised for significant changes, with rumors swirling about both high-end and budget-friendly options in development.
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| A breathtaking view of nature symbolizing the immersive capabilities expected from Apple's upcoming mixed reality headsets |
Vision Pro 2: A Powerful Upgrade
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next-generation Apple Vision Pro could enter mass production as early as next year. The headset is tipped to feature an as-yet-unannounced M5 chipset, potentially offering a substantial performance boost over the current M2-powered model.
While the overall design is expected to remain largely unchanged, Kuo suggests the integration of Apple Intelligence could be the real selling point. This suite of AI features may leverage the increased processing power of the M5 chip to deliver what Kuo describes as the best Apple Intelligence user experience available.
The analyst even speculates that if the M5-equipped Vision Pro 2 could integrate technology similar to OpenAI's Sora, it may elevate the user experience of the head-mounted display device to unimaginable levels.
Pricing Considerations
The current Apple Vision Pro carries a hefty $3,499 price tag, largely due to its advanced components. The two 4K micro-OLED panels alone are estimated to cost $456, making them one of the most expensive parts in the device.
While Kuo hints at potential cost reductions for the Vision Pro 2, it's unclear how significant these might be. The analyst states that other hardware specs and designs won't change much, which should help lower costs and price points, but doesn't provide specific figures.
A More Affordable Vision
Separate reports indicate Apple is also working on a lower-cost Vision Pro model, potentially slated for release in 2025. This budget-friendly version may make some notable compromises to achieve a more accessible price point:
- Display Technology : Instead of micro-OLED, the affordable model might use OLED panels from Japan Display (JDI).
- Pixel Density : The budget displays are rumored to have a pixel density of around 1,500 PPI, less than half of the 3,386 PPI found in the current Vision Pro.
- Manufacturing Process : JDI is said to be using a glass core substrate OLED (GCS) technology, differing from the OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) used in the high-end model.
While these changes would likely result in a noticeable difference in image quality, they could be necessary to bring the price down to a more palatable level for mainstream consumers.
The Road Ahead
As Apple continues to refine its mixed reality strategy, the company faces stiff competition. Meta recently unveiled its Orion prototype AR glasses, which some analysts believe could pose a significant challenge to both the Vision Pro and potentially even the iPhone.
It remains to be seen how quickly the market will embrace this new category of devices. Apple's success may hinge on its ability to create a compelling ecosystem of apps and experiences that showcase the unique capabilities of mixed reality technology.
