Apple Reality Pro: Unveiling Apple’s AR/VR Headset

Apple’s AR/VR Headset is coming in to market to Enhance your reality with sports apps, eye scanning, VR FaceTime and a world of virtual experiences.

In recent months, there has been a surge of rumors surrounding Apple’s highly anticipated VR/AR headset project. However, the information has become increasingly confusing and fragmented. While reports suggest that Apple plans to incorporate mixed reality (MR) technology rather than just augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR), the specifics of how this will be achieved remain unknown. Questions regarding the device’s design and features also linger.

To provide clarity amidst the noise, we have meticulously compiled and analyzed the latest rumors and reports to present you with a comprehensive overview. Here’s everything we currently know about Apple’s upcoming mixed reality headset, including details about its price, features, and more.

Expected Release Date of Apple Reality Pro

Initially, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple would announce the headset in January 2023, with a shipping date in the second quarter of the same year. However, the anticipated January announcement came and went without any news. Kuo also mentioned that a development toolkit might be made available to interested parties two to four weeks after the unveiling event.

Later speculations pointed towards a spring 2023 launch for the headset, potentially coinciding with a special event. While only a limited number of devices are expected to be showcased, the mixed reality headset is believed to be the star attraction.

However, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman disrupted these expectations by claiming that Apple had delayed the release from April to June due to hardware and software issues. If true, this delay would join a series of setbacks that have allegedly plagued the development process.

A June release aligns well with Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), providing an ideal platform to introduce developers to the new device. The headset is rumored to operate on a new operating system, which developers will need time to familiarize themselves with.

Although the exact launch date remains uncertain, it is worth noting that this will be Apple’s first foray into the headset market. Rumors also suggest that Apple is concurrently working on additional devices, including a more affordable version and AR glasses that resemble regular eyewear. However, no official release dates have been announced for these subsequent products. Kuo has hinted that mass production of the second-generation headset could begin in 2025, with Apple aiming to sell ten times as many units as the initial model.

Expected Price of Apple Reality Pro

Regarding the price, Kuo initially estimated a consumer-friendly price of $1,000. This aligns with Apple’s positioning strategy of offering high-quality products that cater to the mainstream consumer market, albeit at a higher cost. However, Kuo revised his prediction to $2,000 in August 2022, a figure supported by Mark Gurman.

Nevertheless, it seems that both estimates might have underestimated the actual price. The Information reported that the headset could cost as much as $3,000, placing it in the price range of Microsoft’s $3,500 HoloLens 2. With such a high price point, the device may primarily target developers and professionals rather than the average consumer. This pricing strategy is somewhat unusual for Apple, but various sources, including Gurman, seem to corroborate the $3,000 price tag, indicating that Apple’s first headset will be a costly endeavor.

Interestingly, Gurman reported in January 2023 that Apple could potentially incur losses with each headset sold, despite the high price. This suggests that Apple is prioritizing market penetration and laying the foundation for future products. However, marketing a $3,000 headset could present a challenge.

What’s in a Name?

Apple’s upcoming augmented reality products have gone through various potential names, including Apple Glass, which was suggested by a well-known tech leaker Jon Prosser but dismissed due to associations with a flop rival product that was Google Glass.

Instead, tech journalist Mark Gurman has proposed a number of potential names, including Apple Vision, Apple Reality, Apple Sight, and Apple Lens. Recently, Apple filed for trademarks on the names “Reality Pro,” “Reality One,” and “Reality Processor,” with Gurman predicting that Reality Pro will be the name of a high-end headset, while a more affordable headset may be called Reality One. The name of the rumored AR glasses, however, remains unknown.

What to Expect from Apple Reality Pro Headset:

Apple’s mixed-reality headset is expected to be a wraparound set that combines AR and VR technologies, providing an immersive virtual reality experience. The Apple AR/VR Headset will come with VR FaceTime and going to provide VR features for Sports (Virtual Workout), Gaming, iPad Apps and Workouts.

The headset is also rumored to be wireless, allowing users to freely move around without any cables getting in the way. Unlike other devices such as Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 or the Magic Leap 1, it will not require users to see their surroundings, which could interrupt the virtual reality experience.

The Apple Reality Pro headset is expected to come with an array of sensors and biometric features. According to Kuo, there will be innovative biometric sensors integrated into the device, although specific details about these sensors have not been disclosed. These biometric sensors could potentially enable features such as facial recognition, iris recognition, or other forms of advanced authentication, adding an extra layer of security and convenience for users.

Audio of Apple Reality Pro

In terms of audio capabilities, the Reality Pro headset is said to have its own speakers, but their performance might be limited. To fully enjoy spatial audio, wearing a pair of AirPods or other compatible headphones will be recommended. Apple is known for its focus on delivering high-quality audio experiences, so it’s expected that the audio output, whether through the built-in speakers or external headphones, will provide immersive and realistic sound.

Technology of Apple Reality Pro

Powering all these features and technologies will be custom-designed Apple Silicon chips. The main CPU is rumored to be a powerful processor, possibly an M2 chip with 16GB of RAM. Apple’s expertise in chip design and efficiency will ensure optimal performance and power management for the mixed reality headset. The dual-chip setup, as suggested by reports, will include a 4-nanometer process chip for computing power and a 5-nanometer process chip to handle sensors and other functionalities. This combination of chips will likely require a high-power adapter, similar to the 96-watt adapter used for the MacBook Pro.

In conclusion, the Apple Reality Pro headset is an eagerly anticipated device that aims to revolutionize the mixed reality experience. With its rumored wraparound design, advanced camera system, lightweight construction, high-resolution displays, and powerful Apple Silicon chips, the headset promises to deliver an immersive and cutting-edge experience for professionals, enthusiasts, and Apple users alike. While the exact details regarding price, release date, and final specifications are still subject to speculation, the rumors surrounding the Apple Reality Pro headset have generated significant excitement and anticipation in the tech community.