Along with the Apple Car, mixed reality glasses are Apple’s most anticipated product in a long time. After countless rumors, delays and leaks, those from Cupertino are expected to present them in society at WWDC 2023 to be held in June. However, the company would already be working on two second-generation models.
This is how he assures it Ming-Chi Kuo’s most recent report. According to the analyst, “it is likely” that Apple aims to launch them in 2025, although it has not provided further details in this regard. However, it is still curious that the wait between the hypothetical first-generation model that we would see this year —probably under the name of Reality Pro— and its successors can be so short.
As for technical characteristics, great details have not been disclosed either. Kuo indicates that Apple intends that the second generation of its mixed reality glasses consists of a low-performance model and another with higher specifications. What would be the differences between the two remains a mystery, of course.
What the expert has mentioned is how its manufacture would be ordered. Apparently, foxconn would be in charge of manufacturing the entry version of the second generation helmet. While the most advanced variant would be in charge of luxcaseicta joint venture between Luxshare and Pegatron.
The latter is also striking, since Pegatron is the main person involved in the production of the first version of Apple’s mixed reality glasses. However, the company would transfer all its resources allocated to the development of devices of this type to the alliance in question. Kuo says that, with this change, the Taiwanese firm plans to “gradually withdraw” from the business linked to the Reality Pro and subsequent models.
Apple’s second generation of mixed reality glasses would come with lower prices
Beyond the technological development itself, Apple’s primary goal for its second-generation mixed reality headset would be to get it to market. with cheaper prices. The Reality Pro launching this year is rumored to sell for around $3,000. Although even less optimistic reports have come to locate them around 5,000 dollars.
But the high price of the device would not respond only to the quality of the hardware, but also to the low number of units that are projected to be sold. It is that, as it was known at the end of 2022, the first generation helmet would be almost impossible to obtain. Those of the apple would have an estimate of annual shipments that would be between 700,000 and 800,000 units, against the 2.5 million originally projected. In addition, the Reality Pro would be focused on “commercial markets”, rather than the general public.
Second-generation mixed reality glasses could be marketed at a commensurate price to that of “a high-performance Mac”, according to Kuo. This does not necessarily imply that they are cheap – it all depends on which Mac we compare them against – but the analyst refers to the fact that their price would be considerably below that mentioned for the original model.
Will we really see new mixed reality headsets from Apple in 2025? Today it is difficult to say. Hours ago, the expert tweeted that the first generation model could only go on sale with the iPhone 15. That is, not before september.
The speculation is a lot and the certainties are few. It remains to be seen how Apple approaches its expected landing into the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.