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.

apple ar headset concept 1
Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo

The report states that Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) will supply lens modules for Apple's upcoming headset, rumored to be called "Reality Pro," with shipments starting as soon as next month.

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.

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

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out 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. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...

Top Rated Comments

JamonBull Avatar
20 months ago
I have no interest in this product, but I'm really looking forward to it coming out so I don't have to see these mockups ever again.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
20 months ago
This is going to be a huge hit. Literally everyone I know has been putting money aside to buy in on day one. Pre-orders are going to potentially crash the Apple website IMHO.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kierkegaarden Avatar
20 months ago
Even at $3000 this would less expensive than Magic Leap and Microsoft offerings. Regardless, I think it will be a bigger hit than most are expecting.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
videosoul Avatar
20 months ago

Literally everyone I know
Either you don’t know many people, or you live in a very weird world!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KaliYoni Avatar
20 months ago
I wonder what insanely priced add-ons Apple will sell for the Reality Pro...

Nano-textured lens finish ($499)?
Tabletop stand with hook for hanging goggles when not in use ($749)?
Height adjustable tabletop stand with hook for hanging goggles when not in use ($999)?
Soft storage bag, made from upcycled Apple Polishing Cloths ($199)?

;-)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lovehateapple Avatar
20 months ago

It makes sense that a $3k niche product would not be aimed at consumers, but I'd assume that unless you're already running Macs, there's no reason to deploy an Apple AR/VR headset if you have to change your existing IT, unless it's truly and entirely game changing technology.
I'm pretty sure the headset will be a stand alone device so you won't need to be a mac user or change your existing IT to use it. I know plenty of windows users who own iphones. I also think apple thinks their entry into AR / VR will be truly and entirely game changing. And I hope so too.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)