Foxconn Reportedly Working on Apple's Cheaper Second-Generation Headset

Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset has yet to be announced, but Nikkei Asia today reported that the company's manufacturing partner Foxconn is already developing a cheaper second-generation version of the headset.

apple ar headset concept 1

Image Credit: Ian Zelbo

The report cites an unnamed "executive with knowledge of the development" who claims that Apple's first headset will be "extremely expensive," with industry estimates ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. The source believes Apple's second-generation headset will have a more affordable price within the territory of "a high-end Mac computer."

From the report:

Foxconn is also helping with the AR project, four people told Nikkei Asia. The longtime iPhone assembler will work on parallel development of a cheaper second-generation AR device, four sources said. Foxconn's focus will be on automating mass production and improving production performance to help Apple lower overall costs, according to two people familiar with the plans.

Apple's plans to release a cheaper version of its AR/VR headset were first reported last month by The Information's Wayne Ma and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The headset would supposedly use more affordable components, such as lower-resolution lenses.

Apple's first headset is expected to be announced at WWDC in June and will reportedly have over a dozen cameras, dual 4K lenses, advanced eye and hand tracking, a physical knob similar to the Apple Watch's Digital Crown, and many other advanced features. On the software side, the device is said to have an iOS-like interface with a grid of apps.

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

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...

Top Rated Comments

stoid Avatar
37 months ago

first headset ... estimates ranging from $3,000 to $5,000
...
second-generation headset will have a more affordable price within the territory of "a high-end Mac computer."
I'm confused. I would consider $3-5K within the territory of "a high-end Mac computer."
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bLackjackj Avatar
37 months ago

Niche Market! If Apple really wants this AR/VR headset to be successful. Release the cheaper model first (see how it plays in the market) and then move towards releasing an expensive model second.
As someone who has worked in the Marketing & Sales field in IT,..I'm sorry but that makes absolutely no sense. It makes complete sense, if the objective is to release a product with a perception of high quality. They need to stand out in the overcrowded VR/ AR marketplace.

They are wanting it to have the feel of a high end product and still garner the software to support it. I'm guessing they will have only under 5 software developers they are currently working closely with.

3k is NOT expensive when you consider the quality of hardware & sensors that have been rumored. Just look at how much their computer hardware is.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
37 months ago
Niche Market! If Apple really wants this AR/VR headset to be successful. Release the cheaper model first (see how it plays in the market) and then move towards releasing an expensive model second.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
37 months ago
I don’t understand who this is for? The B2B sector where the price hardly matters cuz your employer is going to pay for it? What developer is going to bother to spent money and development time on this when it’s out of reach for most customers. Have you ever seen an iPad Pro exclusive app? I don’t think so!

Personally, I’d only be interested in this if A) I was rich and B) if it was so advanced that I could dive into a world that looks actually real (think avatar) to get away from German winter for a bit every day haha imagine visiting Hawaii from your living room. However, so far everything VR/AR I have seen looks like a „updated“ version of Nintendo Wii graphics
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MadDawg2020 Avatar
37 months ago
How can there be a ‘second generation’ of a product that has not even seen its first generation released?!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Macalway Avatar
37 months ago

I'm confused. I would consider $3-5K within the territory of "a high-end Mac computer.

I'm confused. I would consider $3-5K within the territory of "a high-end Mac computer."
Right, this is silly. More like extremely expensive for a niche gadget. The comparison is absurd.

So what is this we are going to see? Doesn't sound very interesting if I can't own one. Boring. For those non-business users that will buy one, I envy your vast wealth. This I know. So in nutshell the real release date is maybe late next year or farther out (like much).

They should have just ...not done it this way. Like SJ showing the first iPhone that 'just costs too much for anyone' .Lines would have to wait....for years.

Sorry to be so negative, but I'm finding it so easy.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)