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Apple is expected to join the virtual reality tech market, but with a slightly different approach. Instead of introducing its first headset as a mainstream product, the company is going the other way and could reportedly launch a VR headset worth $3,000 per unit.
Apple VR headset's rumored price further proves it's planned as a niche product
Avid tech fans have been waiting for Apple to launch its own smart glasses. The company's efforts in making its mobile devices more compatible with augmented reality tech in recent years made it obvious that Apple will launch a complementary device sometime in the future.
A new report from The Information (via 9To5Mac) has once again pointed at a supposedly ongoing development of a related product. The device was referred to as a mixed reality headset, but it appears that most of its functions make use of VR. That explains why it is also being called a VR headset. Either way, it might not be something Apple will offer at a consumer level mainly because of its price.
The report mentioned Apple's previous discussions suggested the VR headset could cost around $3,000, which positions it as a potential rival of Microsoft's mixed-reality headset HoloLens. The base model of HoloLens 2 is currently priced at $3,500.
Apple VR headset's potential pricing supports Bloomberg's earlier report that the device is eyed as a niche product. In terms of sales, Apple is reportedly expecting the headset to sell one unit per store a day. Like the HoloLens, it could be marketed as more of a business solution, but the same report mentioned that Apple is also considering the device to support entertainment-focused functions.
Apple VR specs could include more than 12 cameras
That rumored pricing alone is enough to prove that the upcoming Apple VR headset is not for regular people to buy, but its reported specs will further prove the point. The Information's sources said a prototype of the device sports more than a dozen cameras that would support hand and eye tracking, as well as project real-world video feed on its built-in displays.
New: I’ve seen internal Apple renders of its mixed reality headset. It’s a sleek, curved visor with swappable headbands and over a dozen cameras. Artist mockup of the renders: https://t.co/KMuncsbr7b pic.twitter.com/0FF5G87bwi
— Alex Heath (@alexeheath) February 4, 2021
Two 8K displays are reportedly planned for the Apple VR headset. As for its design, The Information made an illustration based on a prototype that includes a curved visor and interchangeable headbands.
