CUPERTINO, CA – Apple is secretly developing not one, but seven distinct augmented and virtual reality headsets, including a next-generation Vision Pro and a lightweight "Google Glass" alternative designed for all-day wear, according to a bombshell report from display industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The revelation comes just months after Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro launch, suggesting the company views its inaugural headset as merely the first chess piece in a sprawling AR/VR strategy. Kuo’s supply chain sources indicate Apple is pursuing a "tiered ecosystem" approach to dominate spatial computing.
The Seven Prototypes
Kuo’s exclusive report details three confirmed categories under development:
- Vision Pro Successors (3 Models)
- High-end devices with enhanced displays, lighter designs, and incremental upgrades slated for 2025-2027. One model reportedly targets enterprise with surgical-grade precision.
- Affordable Mainstream Headsets (2 Models)
- Mid-tier devices using cheaper materials (plastic instead of aluminum) and simplified components. Priced between $1,500-$2,500, these aim to capture prosumers and developers.
- "Apple Glass" Line (2 Models)
- The stunner: Sunglasses-style AR wearables resembling Bose Frames. These transparent-waveguide glasses would handle notifications, navigation, and live translations via Siri—positioned as a mass-market "iPhone companion."
Why Seven Devices?
Insiders suggest Apple’s aggressive roadmap targets three critical gaps:
- Price: Bridging the gap between premium Vision Pro and impulse-buy territory
- Function: Separating immersive VR (gaming/media) from contextual AR (daily productivity)
- Form Factor: Solving the "face computer" stigma with socially acceptable glasses
"Apple knows Vision Pro is a niche product," Kuo states. "The glasses initiative—codenamed B798—is their true endgame. They want AR overlays to replace the iPhone’s screen within a decade."
Industry Implications
The move pressures Meta’s Quest line and startups like Humane and Rabbit. Google Glass—discontinued in 2023—could ironically see a resurgence if Apple legitimizes the form factor.
Analysts warn of challenges:
"Battery life, display brightness, and cellular connectivity are hurdles for Apple Glass," says TechSpiegel’s Maria Fernandez. "But if anyone can miniaturize A-series chips further, it’s Apple."
What’s Next?
Kuo predicts Apple Glass could debut as early as late 2026, with regulatory filings hinting at electromagnetic charging via iPhone. Meanwhile, Vision Pro 2 remains on track for late 2025 with OLEDoS displays from Sony.
One thing is clear: Apple’s bet on spatial computing isn’t a single device—it’s a seven-pronged assault on reality itself.
For Kuo’s full supply-chain analysis and prototype specifications, visit his detailed briefing here.
Post a Comment