Kuo: Apple's Headset Coming End of 2022, Will Feature 'Pancake' Lenses

Apple's widely-rumored AR/VR headset is coming at the end of 2022, with shipments to ramp up in the first quarter of 2023, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

apple mixed reality headset mockup feature purple
In a research note with TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said Apple's headset will feature two "3P pancake lenses," which have a folded design that allows light to reflect back and forth between the display and lenses. This design can allow Apple to release a more compact and lightweight headset.

The Information last year shared the above render of Apple's supposed headset based on a "late-stage prototype" that it viewed. The report claimed the headset will have a curved visor with a soft mesh material, swappable headbands, and more.

Earlier today, display industry consultant Ross Young claimed Apple's headset will be equipped with three displays.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...

Top Rated Comments

lazyrighteye Avatar
46 months ago

I just don't understand how they're going to find mass consumer appeal at the rumored $3k pricepoint. At $1k these fly off the shelves, but $3k puts it into a very niche category (and Apple doesn't do specific business-oriented products like Microsoft does).
[[immediately stops setting cash aside]]
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nholm Avatar
46 months ago
I could not be less excited.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UltimateSyn Avatar
46 months ago
I just don't understand how they're going to find mass consumer appeal at the rumored $3k pricepoint. At $1k these fly off the shelves, but $3k puts it into a very niche category (and Apple doesn't do specific business-oriented products like Microsoft does).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
46 months ago
The report claimed the headset will have a curved visor with a soft mesh material, swappable headbands, and more.

“So, we can expect Apple to sell swappable headbands like how they sell for Apple Watches. Different types, colors, and patterns.”

Can you imagine how expensive it's going to be to repair the headset if one of the pancake cameras gets broken? Apple care + is going to be a must-have. ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeLaSoul Avatar
46 months ago

As an Apple shareholder, I think investors are making way too big of a deal for Apple VR headset. It's not going to make a dent in Apple's bottom line for many years. Apple does not have killer apps for it and Apple does not have AAA gaming, which is what is driving most VR purchases today.

This is not a mass-market product in 2022. Probably not 2023 either. Maybe 2025 after 3 iterations, lower cost, and an app ecosystem.

What is a mass-market product is Apple Glasses that you can wear at all times throughout the day. Not a headset.

Also, Apple's failed HomePod product is a bit of warning for Apple VR. Yes, the hardware tech will be amazing and will be better than anything else out there. But it will be expensive. Facebook is basically selling the Occulus at hardware cost in order to drive up marketshare and then maybe make money from an appstore in the future. Apple will probably sell this for a much higher price than the Occulus which will make it a niche product, just like the Homepod.
FaceBook’s goal is to immerse you in their metaverse worlds and get you addicted, so they can totally track literally every move you make, and sell your wasted eyeball time to advertisers. That polarized rabbit hole of misinformation is going to be much deeper and darker.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iPadified Avatar
46 months ago
What would be more interesting to know is how these devices will deal with not perfect eye sight.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)