Apple is a big name in the world of electronic devices. Its smartphone, the iPhone, is the best selling in the world. At the same time, the MacBook computer is also a leading choice for most people who can afford it.
Meanwhile, many prefer Apple devices for luxury and what they deliver. For instance, iPhone cameras deliver the best-quality photos and videos among other phone brands.
With much success in rolling out cutting-edge innovations, many wonder why Apple is yet to roll out a virtual reality device. The truth is Apple is interested in building the metaverse just as any other tech giant. Also, the company is working on some metaverse devices that will blow the mind of consumers.
If you have also looked forward to the launch of an Apple VR device, this article brings you the information available so far. You will get to know what the device name might be, its features, possible price, launch date, etc.
What Apple might call its VR headset
Earlier this year, reports claimed that Apple filed trademark applications for three names – Reality One, Reality Pro, and Reality Processor. We could find the truth in these claims by looking at the situations surrounding the application.
The trademark applications were submitted in Apple’s biggest market, the United States, alongside other economies like the EU, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, etc. Although Apple did not submit the trademark filings, the firm linked to the filings is one that Apple has used in the past.
Immersive Health Solutions LLC is the shell company that filed these trademarks, and it enlisted law firms that Apple has used to register product names in the past.
Meanwhile, Immersive Health Solutions is registered by Corporation Trust Co., another shell company that once filed a trademark belonging to Apple.
Moreover, it is no news that Apple produces “pro” versions of its products. For instance, MacBook has MacBook Pro, and iPhones have pro versions (e.g., iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro).
So, it is no coincidence that Apple filed a trademark for “Reality Pro.” This name suggests that the company plans on releasing multiple batches of its headset with improved features in each batch.
Additionally, previous activities show that Apple has always filed for trademarks long before releasing a device. By doing that, it can sell the product without the risk of legal actions from brands that might own such names.
What the Apple Headset will deliver
From its tracking features to its processor, Apple is creating a headset that might be more immersive than any known VR/AR device. Firstly, a recent post from The Information explained that the device would have up to 14 cameras.
Such a number is acceptable considering that Apple’s headset will provide both augmented and virtual reality simultaneously, making it a mixed reality (MR) device. Therefore, users can switch between the full immersion of a virtual world and augmented reality with a single tap.
A device with dual functionality needs a powerful processor. The Apple Silicon Chip (that powers new Mac computers) is a fitting choice, and Mark Gurman asserted that Apple might be using this processor.
At the same time, Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst at Tianfeng International, have raised another possibility. They predict that the headset will use two chips.
Kuo mentioned that the first would be a 4-nanometer (nm) chip, providing the device with computing power. At the same time, the other chip will power its sensors on a 5nm process.
Meanwhile, Apple might also be producing the most comfortable headgear ever, as Kuo once reported that the device would only weigh 150 grams. If this report proves true, Apple will solve a common problem of VR headsets.
The possible price range of Apple VR headset
Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 is the most affordable among the existing VR and AR devices, going for $400. In comparison, headgear from brands like Vive and Samsung costs about two times the price of Quest 2.
So, will Apple’s VR headset be affordable like that of Meta? Looking at its existing products, one will notice that Apple focuses more on quality and exceptional features and cares less about price.
The latest iPhone 14 Pro sells for $1,000 – $1,500 while MacBook Pro costs between $1,300 – $3500. Yet, these devices are constantly in demand by worldwide consumers. Accordingly, it is reasonable not to expect anything less of the Apple VR headset.
While the headgear will feature cutting-edge innovations, Apple might put it out for a high price, adding a taste of luxury to it, as always. This fact is also evident in research by Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo stated that the market price of the Apple VR headset could be $2,000. Also, there might be at most 1.5 million device units as the company plans to study whether market conditions favor the product. Although $2,000 is relatively high, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg also mentioned the same amount in his newsletter.
While some reports state that the headset will cost up to $3,000, such a price is not viable as it will restrict the headset to only industry professionals. Of course, Apple has always produced consumer goods used by millions worldwide.
When can we expect the device on store shelves?
Mark Gurman, has earlier hinted that the Apple VR headset might be up for sale in the early weeks of 2023. Meanwhile, tech analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, stated in a tweet what might be the possible launch date for Apple’s headset.
Kuo frequently provides developments about Apple products based on market conditions. In one of his tweets, he proposed–owing to the Shanghai lockdown–Apple will begin shipping its VR headset by the second quarter of 2023.
Also, he stated that the company would begin testing this product before 2022 ends, and preorders will begin in Q2 of 2023. Finally, he predicted Apple VR headset would be on store shelves before the Worldwide Developers Conference of 2023.
