This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Apple is pursuing several projects in the area of VR & AR. But contact lenses are also said to be part of this research, as has now become known.
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now published a new letter to investors, revealing some key details about Apple's future VR and AR projects. The letter details Apple's virtual reality and augmented reality products. Kuo predicts that Apple will introduce a new "helmet-like" headset with AR and VR capabilities, followed by AR glasses in 2025, and finally an AR contact lens product between 2030 and 2040.
VR / AR headset in 2022: The launch
As for the AR and VR headset, which is due to be released next year, Kuo explains that current prototypes currently weigh between 200 and 300 grams.
If Apple can successfully solve the significant technical problems, the final product weight will be reduced to 100-200 grams.
The AR and VR headset will use Sony’s micro-OLED displays and will have “independent processing power and memory.” This means that it will operate independently of a iPhone According to Kuo, it will be positioned "more like a wearable product than a mobile product."
Although Apple has focused on AR, we believe that the hardware specifications of this product can provide an immersive experience that is significantly better than existing VR products. We believe that Apple could heavily integrate this helmet into video-related applications (e.g. Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, etc.) as one of the main selling points.
Regarding the price, Kuo explained that this headset will likely be positioned "similar to a high-end iPhone," possibly somewhere around $1,000. That's significantly cheaper than previous reports But please note: Kuo is a supply chain analyst. Price forecasts are not part of his analysis area, which is why these forecasts were often inaccurate.
Apple AR glasses to be released in 2025
Kuo further stated that Apple will not unveil AR glasses until 2025 at the earliest. According to his information, prototype production is still pending. The main feature will reportedly be Apple's proprietary "optical, see-through AR experience" to overlay AR elements over the real world. Further details are relatively vague. Kuo claims that the AR glasses could have independent processing power and storage and will likely be positioned as a mobile product. Production of the glasses and headset would take place in parallel, meaning that Apple could sell both products simultaneously in the long term.
Apple AR contact lenses are also said to be in the planning stages
But now comes a completely surprising statement. According to Kuo, Apple is said to be developing another product in this area – AR contact lenses. Looking ahead, the analyst predicts that Apple will introduce some form of AR contact lenses after 2030. However, there is no concrete information yet on the market launch schedule. The focus would be on "invisible computing." However, it is unlikely that the contact lenses will have independent storage and power technology. (Photo by Nuclear_lily / Bigstockphoto)
