Apple has again delayed mass production of its mixed reality headset. The device may not be seen at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today.
In a tweet explained Kuo said Apple is "not very optimistic" that the headset could create an "iPhone moment." Therefore, the company has decided to postpone mass production of the device until the mid-to-late third quarter of 2023. Kuo believes this delay increases uncertainty "as to whether the new device will appear at WWDC 2023, as the market generally expects." The delay also means that forecasts for headset shipments in 2023 will be even lower than previously estimated, at just 200,000 to 300,000 units. Previously, the company expected around half a million units to be shipped this year.
Apple Mixed Reality Headset Presentation: Until now, WWDC 2023 was considered a possible date
The reasons for Apple's concerns about the device include the poor market response due to the economic downturn, compromises in hardware specifications, the weight of the device, the readiness of the ecosystem and applications for the headset, and the high selling price. Kuo expects the price of the headset to be between $3,000 and $4,000, or even higher. Kuo's comments echo a recent New York Times report stating that Apple employees are seriously concerned about the headset's prospects, calling it "a solution to a problem." Apple has yesterday announced that WWDC 2023 will take place between June 5th and 9th. Until now, everything indicated that Apple would present the headset at this time. (Photo by Ivochkina / Bigstockphoto)
