Apple Supplier to Ship Lenses for AR/VR Headset as Soon as February

An Apple supplier is preparing to begin shipments of lenses to be used in Apple's upcoming AR/VR headset, according to a report today by DigiTimes.

Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo

Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) will supply lens modules for VR head-mounted devices, to be launched by Apple in 2023, with shipments to begin in February-March 2023, according to GSEO's supply chain makers.

Apple has been working on its AR/VR headset for several years, with a launch expected to take place this year. A timeline set forth by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that Apple will reveal the headset prior to WWDC, which takes place in June. At WWDC, Apple will detail its new xrOS operating system and introduce developers to its new capabilities before shipping the headset in the fall.

It is widely expected that Apple's first AR/VR product will be a high-end niche product aimed at developers and professionals. Several advanced technologies are rumored to be included in the headset, including over a dozen cameras to capture and translate real-world movements to virtual movements, two 4K micro-LED displays, iris scanning, facial expression tracking, powerful Apple silicon chips, and more.

The advanced nature of the headset will likely make it expensive, with rumors suggesting a price somewhere around $3,000. The headset will be Apple's first entry into a new AR/VR market and is just the start of Apple's roadmap. A new report this week said that Apple is working on a lighter, more affordable version of the headset while its augmented reality glasses face an indefinite delay.