Apple mixed reality headset launch tipped for 2022 — here's what to expect

(Image credit: Oculus)

Apple's mixed reality VR headset will arrive as early every bit next yr and will cost $1,000, according to a new leak — merely the long-awaited Apple Drinking glass won't be with us until 2025.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors) has laid out a total roadmap prediction for Apple's VR and AR devices and says the mixed reality headset will launch in "mid-2022". It will be followed past the AR-simply Apple Glasses in 2025, and by AR contact lenses betwixt 2030-2040.

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Nosotros already knew that the Apple tree mixed reality VR headset wouldn't be arriving until adjacent year at the earliest. Co-ordinate to a previous report, information technology'll be designed equally a forerunner to the Apple tree Spectacles and volition combine VR and AR features.

Kuo'southward note repeats this fact, noting that future releases such every bit the Glasses and contact lenses will be purely augmented reality devices. He too claims that the mixed reality headset currently weighs betwixt 200 and 300 grams (seven-ten.5 ounces), but that Apple tree is aiming to become that weight down to betwixt 100 and 200 grams (iii.5-7 ounces).

The big surprise from Kuo's report is that the Apple VR/mixed reality headset may be cheaper than we'd expected — he predicts a price tag of around $1,000.

Bloomberg'south Marker Gurman has previously reported that Apple's VR headset won't exist designed for mass appeal. Instead, it'll be a premium device aimed at developers working on mixed reality apps, some of which can and then be ported to Apple Glasses.

As befits a developer-focused device, the headset was expected to exist very expensive: a $3,000 price tag had even been suggested.

But if Kuo is correct with his prediction, Apple VR will be within reach of many consumers. OK, so $ane,000 isn't inexpensive, particularly if y'all don't take an older device to trade in, but it certainly wouldn't be the nearly expensive VR headset out there: the HTC Vive Pro Full Kit is still $ane,199, for instance.

And then once more, that's a fully featured gaming VR headset, rather than a stand-alone product like Apple VR is said to be. Compared to the likes of the $299 Oculus Quest 2, $1,000 is a lot to enquire for.

Still, there's no reason to call back that will evidence a bulwark to its success if information technology'due south a good product — later on all, the iPhone 12 Pro costs $999 and doesn't seem to have suffered likewise much.

Apple Glasses Render — (Paradigm credit: Martin Hajek/iDropnews)

Equally for the Apple tree Glasses, past rumors have claimed we could see the AR specs past 2023. Unfortunately, Kuo does not remember this will be the example, since he believes Apple doesn't have a prototype withal. Kuo is well known for his track record with Apple predictions, so it'southward unlikely he'd be proverb this without being certain.

That's a shame, just AR is particularly hard to go right when yous're trying to avoid bulky headsets. All the essential calculating components are heavy, and all that weight becomes even more credible when you're carrying it on your face. It was always going to exist a challenge for Apple tree to create a lightweight pair of glasses with adequate processing power and battery life.

Then again, squeezing information technology all into a pair of glasses is nothing compared to cramming information technology into something every bit minuscule as contact lenses. Compared to that, pulling off a pair of solid AR glasses is going to be a cinch.

More: Forget Oculus Quest 2: An Oculus Quest Pro could be on the manner

Tom is the Tom'due south Guide'southward Automotive Editor, which ways he tin ordinarily be institute knee deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. Information technology's long manner from his days as editor of Gizmodo Uk, when pretty much everything was on the table. He'due south unremarkably constitute trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or lament that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.