Apple's AR headset will hit stores before WWDC 2023; As predicted by Ming-Chi Kuo
While several reports hinted at the possibility of Apple teasing its highly-anticipated AR/MR headset during the recent WWDC 2022, it did not happen as predicted by Ming-Chi Kuo. While the company unveiled the next-generation iOS and iPadOS, among many other announcements, it didn't mention anything about augmented reality or virtual reality. Now, Kuo has some updates on the matter and suggests that Apple's AR/MR headset will hit stores before next year's WWDC event.
Apple AR/MR headset coming next year
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently took to Twitter to share some updates about Apple's upcoming AR/MR headset. Kuo said he believes the shipping date for Apple's AR/MR headset will be pushed back to the second quarter of 2023 due to the lockdown in Shanghai.
In a follow-up tweet, the analyst provided a possible development timeline for the AR/MR headset, noting that it will enter the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) phase in Q3 2022. He also mentioned that Apple will hold a media event in early 2023, possibly in January, to unveil the product. Finally, Kuo says the AR/MR headset will hit stores before WWDC 2023, with pre-orders going live by Q2 2023. Now, you can see his tweet attached below.
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— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 7, 2022
I believe Apple's AR/MR headset shipping date will postpone to 2Q23 (vs. 1Q23 of market consensus) because Shanghai lockdown interrupts the development. As expected, there were no clues for AR/MR headset at WWDC 2022. Here is my prediction for Apple AR/MR headset schedule.
To recall, this information is consistent with previous rumors that hinted at a launch next year for the Apple AR headset. It was expected to happen this year.
As for what to expect, Apple's highly-anticipated AR/MR headset has long been rumored. Previous rumors about it suggest that it will rely on Apple's Memos and SharePlay features for virtual FaceTime calls. Moreover, it is likely to run a new platform called RealityOS and is expected to pack the latest M2 chipset that Apple unveiled recently. It is likely to come with two 4K micro OLED screens, support for 'comprehensive' apps, and loads more.
However, apart from these, not much is known about the headset so far. That said, if this timeline turns out to be true, we expect more details about the Apple AR/MR headset to emerge in the coming months. So, stay tuned for further updates. Also, let us know what you think about it in the comments below.