Could Apple's Next Product Announcement Finally Be an AR/VR Headset?

Apple is no longer expected to announce any new Apple silicon Macs during the remainder of this year, according to reports. With no new Macs on the horizon for 2022, Apple's product lineup is "set" for the rest of the year, according to the company's CEO Tim Cook. Now, all eyes are on 2023.

apple ar headset concept 2Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo

Apple released many new products in 2022, including a completely redesigned MacBook Air, the iPhone 14 and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, new iPads, the Apple Watch Ultra, and more. One product missing from Apple's list of 2022 announcements is the company's long-rumored AR/VR headset, which has been in development for several years.

The development of Apple's headset, which may be called "Apple Reality Pro," has ramped up in the last year, and Apple's finally expected to unveil the headset next year after multiple delays. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable source for supply chain-related information, Apple will announce the headset in a few months' time during an event in January of 2023.

Other reliable sources have all indicated the headset will be announced sometime next year. Still, other than Kuo's report, no further information on when exactly Apple may decide to announce it has been reported. If Kuo's information is proven accurate, it would be the first Apple event in January since a special event in 2010, where Steve Jobs announced the iPad.

The headset will be Apple's biggest product announcement since the original Apple Watch, so Apple may decide to dedicate an entire event to the headset rather than including it at another event, such as WWDC.

For the last three years, a headset reveal at WWDC has remained a possibility since the announcement of the headset will likely include the revealing of realityOS, an entirely new operating system and platform for developers that will run on Apple's future AR/VR products.

Apple's last event of 2022 was in September for the ‌iPhone 14‌, the new AirPods Pro, and a new lineup of Apple Watch models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported last month that Apple had canceled plans to hold another event this fall in October dedicated to new iPads and Mac models. In a recent Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple held off with another event this year to save "marketing energy for the Reality Pro headset debut next year."

When the headset does get announced, it could be one of Apple's most expensive products. The headset is expected to be a niche product targeted at developers and high-end professionals, with a price tag of around $3,000. Apple is already working on a cheaper model of the headset, which will be followed by a pair of augmented reality glasses later this decade.

Do you think Apple's AR/VR headset is the next product announcement from Apple? Let us know in the comments.

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

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

iOS 18 Coming Later This Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday September 3, 2024 12:07 pm PDT by
iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update will finally be released for all compatible iPhones soon. Apple should reveal iOS 18's exact release date during its September 9 event, with the most likely possibility being Monday, September 16. Below, we have highlighted eight key new features included in iOS 18. Note that Apple Intelligence is not coming...
iPhone 16 Side New Action Button Emphasis Bump

iPhone 16 Apple Silicone Cases Have No Cutout for New Capture Button

Wednesday September 4, 2024 3:19 am PDT by
Apple is introducing a new camera-based "Capture" button on at least some iPhone 16 models this year, and a new rumor claims that Apple's own silicone cases will have a design that is specially made so as not to impede the use of the capacitive button's multiple functions. Several rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it...
iOS 18 CarPlay Feature

iOS 18 Adds These 6 New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday September 3, 2024 12:59 pm PDT by
Apple did not mention CarPlay when it unveiled iOS 18 in June, but the update includes a handful of new features for the in-car iPhone system. iOS 18 includes some changes to the Messages app, Settings app, and Siri on CarPlay. The update should be widely released later in September. Below, we recap CarPlay's key new features on iOS 18. 1. Contact Photos in Messages App iOS 18 adds...
sonny iphone 16 pro colors

New iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed Ahead of Apple Event

Friday September 6, 2024 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is "shaking up its color palette" for its iPhone 16 lineup this year, according to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Early iPhone 16 Pro dummy models via Sonny Dickson According to Gurman, the iPhone 16 Pro models will come in a Gold Titanium to replace Blue Titanium, while the Black, White, and Natural Titanium options that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro will remain...
iPhone 16 Pro Mock Article

iPhone 16 Launch Month Is Here: Everything We Know

Sunday September 1, 2024 4:30 am PDT by
Apple has announced that on Monday, September 9 it will hold its annual fall event, which means we are just days away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. ...
its glowtime event youtube

Report Details Last-Minute Apple Event Rumors About New iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods

Friday September 6, 2024 4:40 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared his final expectations for Apple's "It's Glowtime" event, providing some new tidbits and clarifications about the new devices set to be announced on Monday. iPhone 16 Pro Along with larger 6.3- and 6.9-inch display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have bezels that are "now about a third slimmer" for a "sleeker overall look." The...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

When to Expect iOS 18 on Your iPhone as Beta Testing Wraps Up

Wednesday September 4, 2024 10:50 am PDT by
iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update should finally be widely released later this month. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18 to be available on all compatible iPhones. iOS 18: Beta Testing Wraps Up In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iOS 18 beta 8 will likely be the final developer beta version for the...

Top Rated Comments

Pakaku Avatar
24 months ago
I'm just looking forward to it because the sooner they announce it, the sooner we can finally stop using that awful concept image...
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1557750 Avatar
24 months ago
Couldn’t care less about the goggles.

I’m just excited to see the snowboard that comes with them.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
24 months ago
I'm of the opinion that VR is a solution in search of a problem. So many companies have tried and failed in this arena.

I've seen reports that people in facebook hate the metaverse. I'm sure there's lots of varied reasons for that, but my take away is that its not enhancing someone's work but detracting.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sciomar Avatar
24 months ago

AR is part of the metaverse.
Let's not start that association up, everything needs to distance itself from that company. Apple needs to really hit this one out of the park and set itself apart.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
24 months ago
VR I do not care so much, AR I am interested. But based on a lack of leaks I doubt any of these are close to being announced anytime soon IMO.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Karma*Police Avatar
24 months ago
If they do release it next year, it’ll be when the recession is in full swing.

Probably not the best time to launch an overpriced toy with limited benefits.

Also, a metaverse with only a handful of rich single guys doesn’t sound like much fun if you ask me.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)