The Apple VR headset could have a game-changing OLED screen
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Apple may not have unveiled its first VR headset yet, but reports indicate it has already begun development on its second virtual reality device.
Right now it seems that Apple is working on at least two VR/AR gadgets. The Apple VR headset – which will compete with Project Cambria and the Pico 4 Pro with VR and AR capabilities – and the Apple Glasses – AR specs that are more like Google Glass. Neither device has been officially unveiled, but numerous rumors indicate the headset will launch next year, with the goggles coming later (in 2023 or 2024).
But before Apple even launched any of these devices, it’s apparently already looking for improvements, with a report from the Elec (opens in new tab) says California-based tech company is requesting OLED on Samsung Display and LG Display Silicon panels that are 3,500 ppi. Previously, it was rumored that Apple only asked for panels with about 2,800ppi.
OLED on Silicon panels are comparable to the best OLED TVs, only very small – usually smaller than 1-inch.
The only products in Apple’s current lineup that require a small screen are the smartwatches like the Apple Watch 8 – which has a smallest screen size of 41mm or 1.6in. However, this super high-end OLED on LG or Samsung SIlicon panels would be overkill for the wearable. The Apple Watch 8 currently offers 326ppi, which is pretty similar to previous models – so a 10 times higher to 3,500ppi for the Apple Watch 9 or Apple Watch 10 would come out of nowhere.
Instead, it makes much more sense to see these kinds of panels used in some sort of VR headset or AR goggles where a high ppi can significantly increase the immersion. However, since Samsung and LG won’t start producing these types of panels until 2024, we’ll probably have to wait until the second generation to see these high-res displays in action.
Analysis: who needs all those pixels?
The reason Apple and other VR headset makers want panels with incredibly high ppi numbers is to counteract the screen door effect.
If you get very close to a digital screen – like your computer monitor – you may see these black lines appear around each pixel, that’s the screen door effect. For most devices it’s not that noticeable because the screen isn’t in your face, but in VR the effect is harder to hide.
Increasing the ppi should also increase the number of pixels per degree (ppd), with Meta previously saying it hopes one day to reach 60ppd (the point where the holes become unnoticeable to human eyes). Without this constant reminder that you’re looking at a screen, the best VR games should feel a lot more immersive.
Currently, the Quest 2 delivers 21ppd, with its 773ppi display, and Project Cambria will hopefully do better with its 1230ppi display – although we don’t know the focal length, it’s impossible to determine the ppd right now. Likewise, we can’t predict the ppd of Apple’s 2,800 or 3,500 OLED panels, but they will likely be much closer to hitting the 60ppd target than anything currently offered by Meta.
We’ll have to wait and see what Apple announces in the coming years, but if the rumors are true, it could have the new best VR headset in store.