Where is Apple’s MR Headset?

It seems like people have been anticipating the arrival of an Apple XR headset for an eternity. For years now, industry analysts, consumers, and tech journalists alike have all shared their thoughts, expectations, and predictions about what the solution may offer.

Yet, despite initial suggestions that consumers would be able to access one of these headsets in 2023, we’re still left waiting and wondering.

The evidence suggests that an XR solution will definitely be coming from Apple at some point. In the last year, the company has consistently recruited new hires for its XR team, and has even begun introducing new concepts into other products which indicate ongoing research and development.

Yet, like many technology companies, Apple hasn’t been immune to the supply chain, economic, and talent issues facing the landscape today. At the end of 2022, International Tech Research analyst Jeff Pu announced the device is likely to be postponed to 2025-2026, due to “design issues”.

Is an Apple XR Headset Still Coming?

Numerous reports have suggested Apple is working on a series of AR and MR smart glasses and headsets. While the long-awaited MR solution was expected to appear in 2023, there’s a good chance we’ll have to wait a few more years, thanks to disruptions in the tech industry.

For a while now, analysts and leakers have been spreading rumours about this impending technology. Some believed Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in 2022 would reveal the official release date for the device. However, the event came and went without any new updates.

That’s not to say there aren’t hints to discover. A report on MacRumors found the new iOS 16 operating system was brimming with references to a headset, and the interactions it would have with the new iPhone. Additionally, experts believe prototypes are already being shown to members of the company board, which may be helping to inspire some of the rumours.

During December 2022, Apple introduced its new “XrOS” solution, for an unspecified device. The solution is uniquely built for the needs of the XR product, much like many of Apple’s solutions have their own dedicated operating systems.

However, even this announcement was shrouded in secrecy. The trademark for the solution was filed under a suspected shell company, and Apple has failed to provide any other information about whether the operating system will actually be for a new XR system or not.

What Do We Know So Far?

Unfortunately, at this stage, there’s not a lot of clear information available about the impending MR headset from Apple. The company hasn’t officially confirmed that it’s actually working on one, so we don’t have a release date, or a potential price to consider either.

However, according to the rumour mill, the headset will focus on Mixed Reality, combining the features of VR and AR, and it may be powered by the impressive M1 chipset form Apple. There’s also a good chance this headset will be a lot more streamlined and lightweight than many of the rival solutions from leading brands, as Apple is well-known for focusing heavily on form factor.

The Information, via Mac Rumours even created a potential spec sheet based on a conglomeration of all the data collected about the technology so far. According to this sheet, we may be able to expect:

4K resolution via Dual Micro OLED displays
120-degree FOV potential
Dual chipsets, with a dedicated image signal processor
A waist-mounted battery, with hotswappable power options
Passthrough technology for low-latency, colour MR experiences
H2 chip audio for ultra-low latency connections with Apple earbuds
Hand-tracking and voice recognition technology
Manually attachable prescription lenses for people wearing glasses
Automatic, motorized IPD adjustment
Face and body tracking
Room tracking via LiDAR scanners
App compatibility with existing iOS options

Some rumours also suggest the MR device will use carbon fibre, glass, and aluminium in its outer shell, to reduce size and weight. Additionally, outward-facing displays may allow users to showcase their facial expressions and eye movements when wearing the product.

Various head straps may be available to allow users to customise their experience with the headset. This could provide us with an experience similar to that of the Apple Watch. Additionally, the headset may have a dedicated switch for pass-through technology, so users can switch between full VR and mixed reality experiences at one touch of a button.

Looking Forward to the Apple MR Headset

As one of the market leaders in the technology landscape, it’s unlikely Apple will want to miss out on the potential benefits of launching its own MR solution. This is particularly true now that the Metaverse is gaining more attention, and competing brands in the technology space appear to be doubling-down on their own Mixed Reality offerings.

However, in spite of all this, Apple’s foray into the mixed reality environment remains heavily under wraps. The headset, if there is one, is shrouded in mystery, and there seems to be no clear insight into when it will arrive on the market, if at all.

All we really have right now are rumours and expert analyses to guide us. News reports from companies linked to Apple may be useful too. For instance, Apple supplier Pegatron is said to have begun assembling various prototype units for an Apple headset in its facilities, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Ultimately, it seems likely that Apple will eventually produce the mixed reality headset its fans and modern tech users are hoping for. But we can’t say for certain when the release will finally take place, or even what the resulting device will be able to do.