We could get two more Apple AR/VR headsets in 2025
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The Apple AR/VR headset rumored to be in production could arrive as early as this year, but we’re already seeing predictions of a 2nd generation version, which could include both high-end and low-end models.
This is through a respected Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo (opens in new tab) (through MacRumors (opens in new tab)), which says the two devices are expected to appear in 2025. Other than that, we don’t have too much information about it.
As an industry analyst, Kuo talks about some of the deals Apple is making behind the scenes with manufacturing partners – but as far as the consumer is concerned, that promise of a cheaper headset is the most interesting.
The price could be right
If the rumors are true, the first Apple AR/VR headset coming this year or next year will be on the very expensive side: prices of $3,000 (£2,510 / AU$4,460) and above have been quoted by various sources you would expect to be aware.
That will put it out of reach for many of us, hence the cheaper 2nd gen model – maybe about half the price. This isn’t the first time a cheaper alternative has been mentioned, and it looks like it could replace Apple’s planned augmented reality glasses.
As for the latest news on the 1st generation model, says Kuo (opens in new tab) that it is now unlikely to appear in the first half of the year. Instead, the chances of it appearing alongside the iPhone 15 handsets in September are increasing.
Analysis: choose your reality
It’s always worth summarizing the kind of reality we’re talking about here so you can understand exactly what Apple is working on. First, there’s AR or augmented reality, which are digital elements superimposed on top of the real world – so you point your phone camera at the ground and see, say, a Pokémon magically appear.
Then we have VR or virtual reality, fully enclosed digital worlds where everything is generated by software. You’ve experienced this if you’ve ever pinned something like the Oculus Quest 2, and the processing demands are higher as there’s a greater number of digital objects to generate.
It seems that Apple’s headset can combine both AR and VR technology: Kuo calls it an “AR/MR headset”, where MR stands for mixed reality. Mixed reality usually means both AR and VR together in one device, although confusingly not everyone in tech uses it to refer to the same thing – sometimes it’s used to mean a higher, more immersive level of AR.
To wrap up the terminology, there’s XR or augmented reality, which is usually used as an umbrella term to cover AR, VR and MR together. Now you can amaze the guests at your next dinner party with your extensive knowledge of all the augmented and virtual reality jargon you need.