John Paul M. Joaquin Tech 07.11.2022 07:Jul AM EDT

[RUMOR] Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset To Have a More Affordable Option In 2025, Analyst Says

Getting Apple's mixed reality headset just become much more affordable than before.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is recently reported to be developing a more affordable model of its upcoming mixed reality headset, which was rumored to be priced at $3,000, per Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple's mixed reality headset is currently expected to be available sometime in 2023.

Apple Mixed Reality Headset Affordable Version Details

Apple's mixed reality headset, which is said to be priced at more than $3,000, will allegedly have a more affordable model that will be released with the upcoming mixed reality headset's second generation at the same time, per Ming-Chi Kuo's Medium blog post.

Kuo mentioned that Apple's second-generation mixed reality headset will be an upgrade to the original headset with better hardware. It will also come with a much more affordable model, which is already being developed by Apple.

However, the company is still talking to its suppliers for components to create this more affordable model, which, like the second-generation mixed reality headset, will also be released to consumers by 2025.

Furthermore, due to the headset's complexity and high-end hardware, analysts believe that Apple's new headset will be priced too high, per 9to5Mac, with its first-generation headset having a price tag of upwards of $3,000. As such, it is easily believable that Apple is creating a more affordable model to make it more accessible as it does with its entry-level and mid-range smartphones and tablets.

Unfortunately, analysts don't know if the affordable design is made up of a simplified design or less powerful hardware compared to the original second-generation headset.

Meanwhile, Macrumors believes that Apple will showcase its first-generation headset sometime in 2023 before releasing it to the public next year. However, it is still unclear when the Cupertino-based company will make it available to the public.

Additional Details about Apple's First-generation Headset

Kuo mentioned that Apple's first generation headset would have lenses courtesy of Genius and Young Optics.

Genius is Apple's main supplier of lenses for its mixed reality headset, while Young Optics will be its secondary supplier. Meanwhile, GIS is the supplier of Pancake lens lamination, the key optical component of Apple's mixed reality headsets as it affects the visual experience and form factor design.

Interestingly, Kuo mentioned that Genius, Young Optics, and GIS would also be the lens suppliers of Apple's more affordable mixed reality headset. They will also be likely joined by Largan, which will expand production capacity for Apple's order in its new Taichung plant.

However, the cost of the pancake lenses is expected to increase the second-generation affordable headset model as it will improve its visual experience and form factor design.

Meanwhile, the upcoming headset will have a 3P Pancake module for each eye which costs around $30 - $40, which are roughly equivalent to 20 high-end 7P glasses.

However, this type of pancake lens provides a new growth driver for Apple's optical supply chain in the medium to long term, Kuo stated.