Apple’s Cheaper AR/VR Headset: Same Price as iPhones?

Teejay Boris, Tech Times 17 January 2023, 11:01 pm

Apple's more affordable AR/VR headset is reportedly in the works. It supposedly comes with pricing much similar to iPhone offerings these days.

The iPhone maker has been rumored to be silently working on an AR/VR mixed-reality headset for quite some time now. However, the renowned tech firm has yet to formally unveil such a device.

(Photo : HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
People visit an Apple store in Shanghai on October 24, 2022.

But this time, a new report suggests that Apple plans to release a more affordable mixed-reality headset.

Apple's Cheaper AR/VR Headset: Same Price as iPhones

As per a recent report by Mac Rumors, recent reports point out that the first-ever AR/VR mixed reality headset of the Cupertino giant costs quite a lot, roughly $3,000. It sure is quite hefty for most consumers, as it is even more expensive than the higher-end iPhone 14 Pro models.

Given that, it looks like Apple is already working on a more affordable AR/VR device, seemingly a budget-friendly option.

A news story by Bloomberg suggests that the tech behemoth is working on a cheaper mixed-reality headset. How budget-friendly is it? Early reports say that it might cost the same as iPhones these days.

Mac Rumors notes in its report that the entry-level iPhone 14 starts at $799, but the most expensive variant, which comes with up to 1 terabyte (TB) of internal storage, retails for $1,599 in the United States. In other countries, it is slightly more expensive.

Early reports did not specify how much the rumored cheaper mixed reality headset would be. So the pricing for it is still unclear. For now, we could only speculate that might be as cheaper as $799 or as high as $1,600.

More Affordable Mixed Reality Headset: Here's What to Expect

The Information reports that Apple has been working on the cheaper mixed reality headset since last year. And the tech giant is reportedly gearing up to introduce the more affordable version as early as 2024. But Bloomberg says that the debut of the budget AR/VR headset might be between 2024 and 2025.

(Photo : GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
The shadow of a man is cast on the wall of an Apple store as he uses his mobile phone in Beijing on August 26, 2019. - There were signs of a thaw in frosty trade-war tensions between China and the US on August 26 as President Donald Trump said delegations would "very shortly" resume talks.

However, take these predictions with a grain of salt as Apple has yet to confirm plans to release such a device. Delays or abrupt cancellations might take place along the way.

The Cupertino giant is reportedly working on using cheaper components to make the mixed-reality headset more affordable.

Despite that, Mac Rumors notes that the features of the first-ever Apple VR/AR Headset, expected to launch this 2023, would be the same as the upcoming cheaper option.