There had been multiple reports and speculation about the possibility of Apple teasing its new mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022. However, the company didn’t say a word about the device or any related software features during the event.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple’s AR/VR headset will come in Q2 2023, a bit later than expected.
Despite all the rumors and predictions, Kuo had claimed days before WWDC that he didn’t believe the headset would be announced at the event. Instead, the analyst said that Apple’s new AR/VR headset could come in the first quarter of 2023.
Analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities also reported that the product would be “delayed” until the first quarter of 2023.
During the WWDC 2022 opening event, Apple didn’t give any signs that its mixed reality headset is coming soon. Kuo believes that the company has once again decided to “delay” the product's launch, this time to the second quarter of 2023.
According to the analyst, Apple is expected to begin engineering validation testing (also known as EVT) with its headset in three months. If all goes well, the product could be announced in early 2023, with pre-orders and availability coming a few months later.
Kuo also believes that the company will provide early access to the new product for developers weeks after the press announcement.
What caused the delay in Apple’s headset announcement was the COVID-19 lockdowns in China, which affected multiple Apple supplier facilities. Kuo previously said that Apple doesn’t want to announce the product almost a year before its official release, which would give competitors time to copy its features.
Based on previous rumors, Apple’s AR/VR headset will feature an “innovative three-display configuration” combining two Micro OLED displays and one AMOLED panel and advanced sensors for the environment and gesture detection. It might have up to 14 small built-in cameras for advanced tracking.
Of course, Apple’s mixed reality headset will be powered by an Apple Silicon chip to deliver high graphics performance. Leaked mockups suggest the AirPods Max and Apple Watch will inspire the design, and the price can be as high as $3,000.
- 9 to 5 Mac
