Apple's AR/VR Headset Expected to Enter Mass Production in October Ahead of Late 2023 Launch

Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset will enter mass production in October and launch by December, according to investment firm Morgan Stanley. Apple is still expected to unveil the headset at WWDC next week, and provide developers with tools to create apps for the device, which is expected to have its own App Store.

apple ar concept kane purple

Apple headset concept by designer Marcus Kane

"While we expect Apple's AR/VR headset to be unveiled next week, our supply chain checks suggest mass production won't start until October '23, with general availability most likely ahead of the December holidays," said Erik Woodring, an Apple analyst at Morgan Stanley, in a research note obtained by MacRumors.

Apple's supply chain is preparing to assemble only 300,000 to 500,000 headsets in 2023, according to Woodring. As widely rumored, he believes the headset will have a starting price of around $3,000, and he expects gross margins to be "close to breakeven at first," suggesting that Apple will initially make minimal profits on the device.

Morgan Stanley also reiterated that Apple plans to announce a new MacBook Air at WWDC, but it's unclear if this information is independently sourced or simply corroborating other rumors. Apple's keynote begins on Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

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

Popular Stories

streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
apple news banner

Apple News Loses CNN

Monday November 24, 2025 7:56 am PST by
American multinational news company CNN has abruptly pulled its content from Apple News, Semafor reports. CNN quietly removed its stories from Apple News over the weekend and there is no longer a feed from the network to subscribe to in the app. This effectively ends its distribution agreement with Apple while the two sides negotiate new terms. Discussions are apparently ongoing and CNN's...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
amazon black friday

Amazon Kicks Off Black Friday Sale With Major Discounts on Apple Accessories, TVs, and More

Sunday November 23, 2025 7:12 am PST by
Black Friday deals have begun, and Amazon is one of the best places you can find steep discounts on numerous products this week. We've already collected all of the best Apple-related deals you'll find at Amazon (and other retailers) in our Apple Black Friday Deals post, so below you'll find other discounts on devices like Anker accessories, Beats headphones, video games, TVs, and more. Note:...
Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...

Top Rated Comments

jmovie Avatar
33 months ago
I miss the days when the MacRumors comments section was a place of actual thought and conversation. Now it's just a Twitter'ish hole where people fling flippant, sardonic dead-end comments. It's too easy to type "flop"; instead, give us a thoughtful argument as to the headwinds you think a new product might face. I am over the moon for this upcoming launch and I'd make my case, but it's not clear there's many left here who care... ?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
33 months ago
I forecast the Phoenix (rising) iMac "bigger" will be branded PRO and "starting at only..." $3499, north of $4K nicely configured. Look back to the former iMac Pro as your guide.

As to Goggles, bring 'em on. Finally, FINALLY: an entirely NEW product creation from Apple this is not a slightly bigger or slightly faster rehash of the existing mix. I look forward to seeing whatever it can do and whatever it actually costs. I hope it dazzles... but, unlike seemingly many, reserve all judgement until the vapor is actually revealed so we can see what it actually is, what it can actually do, what it actually costs, etc.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
newyorksole Avatar
33 months ago

I miss the days when the MacRumors comments section was a place of actual thought and conversation. Now it's just a Twitter'ish hole where people fling flippant, sardonic dead-end comments. It's too easy to type "flop"; instead, give us a thoughtful argument as to the headwinds you think a new product might face. I am over the moon for this upcoming launch and I'd make my case, but it's not clear there's many left here who care... ?
I agree with ya. I am also very excited and can’t stand all of the doom and gloom comments on literally every article, no matter what it is.

it’ll be nice to discuss it all on Monday too when it’s revealed. Apple knows what they’re doing here.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
33 months ago

I agree with ya. I am also very excited and can’t stand all of the doom and gloom comments on literally every article, no matter what it is.

it’ll be nice to discuss it all on Monday too when it’s revealed. Apple knows what they’re doing here.
This is how it is every time. I always refer to this as the cycle of Apple criticism.

1) Apple would never do X.

2) Okay, Apple is doing X, but people will never buy it.

3) All the people buying X are sheep.

4) I bought X. But it’s flawed!

5) Apple was great when it did X, but will fail at the next thing they’re doing.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Longplays Avatar
33 months ago
For $3k I rather get a replacement for the 2020 iMac 27". It's 34 months old by WWDC 2023.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
33 months ago
Just a few days before we see all the magic for the first time. Anyone betting against Apple should prepare to lose their money.... AGAIN!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)