Future Apple headset to get pixel upgrade - report
Apple's first XR headset is not even on the market yet, let alone officially announced, and yet there are already numerous reports from the supply chain about possible follow-up devices.
They originate from Apple's supply chain, specifically from display manufacturers and their suppliers. In the summer, display technology specialist website The Elec reported that LG Display and Samsung Display were preparing to manufacture micro OLED panels for a new Apple headset. The main display for Apple's first headset is still expected to come from Sony.
Apple wants more pixels from Samsung and LG
Now, The Elec again reports that Apple is requiring displays to be manufactured at 3500 PPI (pixels per inch). Previously, it was said that the requirement was 2800 PPI. The screen is said to be intended for future Apple headsets.
LG and Samsung are expected to deliver Micro-OLEDs (OLEDoS) optimized for VR and AR starting in 2024, which are more efficient, brighter, and faster compared to traditional OLEDs. The screens are tiny (<1 inch (2.54 cm)), so manufacturers could build more compact XR headsets. The lenses in the headset magnify the image.
Meta is also said to have requested Micro-OLED from Samsung for Quest 3, The Elec reports.
When will Apple's tech glasses offensive start?
Sony and LG are said to be supplying a display combination for Apple's first headset. According to earlier reports, Sony will supply the high-resolution Micro-OLED for the center of the display, while an LG OLED display will fill the peripheral field of view.
In total, Apple is said to be working on three tech headsets at the moment. The Reality Pro (N301), due in 2023, the follow-up Reality Pro 2 or Apple Reality One (N602), for which the aforementioned displays are intended, and a pure AR headset (N421), which is said to be years away from market launch.
Meta also recently had to push back plans for a slim AR headset by about two years. The company continues to rely on headsets in the VR form factor, but they will be upgraded and expanded with an AR video passthrough.
Bytedance subsidiary Pico is launching a similar device, Pico 4, these days. Lenovo also announced VRX, a standalone VR headset for enterprises. Google (Project Iris) and Microsoft (together with Samsung) are also said to be working on such mixed reality headsets.
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