Apple’s AR / VR headset could release in January, analyst predicts

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Apple's mixed reality headset, which will reportedly offer a combination of augmented and virtual reality experiences, will likely release in January of next year, according to respected Apple analyst. The most complicated product Apple has ever designed, the headset, could help fuel rapid growth in the market for head-mounted displays, according to a new analyst note.

Previous predictions have had far wider release windows, but this is the first time that has happened. He predicted a release of the headset in the second quarter of next year, which now seems unlikely, and last year he said we might see the headset at some point in the future. It doesn't guarantee a January announcement, but listing a specific month is a strong show of confidence from the analyst.

Image: The Information

There is a lot of activity around the headset. The company's board of directors tried out the headset in May, mentions of the headset's RealityOS software are in Apple's code, and Tim Cook recently teased upcoming augmented reality announcements.

Over the years, many reports have tried to uncover the truth about Apple's headset. According to a recent report in The Information, it could have as many as 14 cameras to track its movement, and it will work as a stand alone device instead of being tethered to a computer. It will reportedly have a processor with a similar amount of processing power to M1 chips found in recent Macs, though when it comes to power it is not clear whether its battery will be built into the headset itself or Wearable on the user's body.

Meta is expected to take a step back while Apple makes a big splash in the mixed reality headset space, according to 9to5mac. The company that used to be known as Facebook is expected to focus on its advertising business instead of investing in virtual reality hardware. Meta recently showed off a number of prototypes of its virtual reality headsets.