News about Apple’s upcoming MR headset has been circulating for a while now, with many virtual reality enthusiasts looking forward to seeing Meta and its Quest 2 headset have more competition.
It now seems, however, that the mixed reality (MR) headset will be priced outside the budget of many potential buyers because Bloomberg has recently reported that Apple had weighted price points above $2,000.
In comparison, Meta’s Quest 2 headset, the most popular VR headset today, starts at $299, and many PCVR headsets, such as the HTC Vive Pro 2 or the Valve Index are priced at around $1,000.
Apple reportedly believes the price tag is justified because the headset contains a powerful chipset (based on its new M1 chips), high-resolution screens, and new audio technology.
But using such a powerful chipset inside a compact MR headset isn’t exactly straightforward. According to several people who asked not to be identified because the matter is private, Apple has run into issues with overheating, which are among the main reasons why the headset hasn’t been unveiled yet despite being originally planned for 2021.
“That could push the announcement until the end of 2022 or later, with the product hitting shelves by 2023,” writes Bloomberg.
The delay gives other players a chance to introduce new products ahead of Apple to convince consumers to vote with their wallets in their favor. For example, Meta’s Project Cambria is expected to release later this year, offering a high-end alternative to the Quest 2 headset.
Besides the MR headset, Apple is also working on its first pair of AR glasses, but their release may be even more distant, and we don’t have much information about them to share with you at the moment, so stay tuned for updates.
