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 (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

Nineth iOS 19 Feature

iOS 19 Beta is a Month Away With These New Features for Your iPhone

Thursday May 8, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is just one month away, and there are already many new features and changes that are expected with it. Apple should seed the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Apple's Foldable iPhone Display Tech May Set New Industry Standard

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:29 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, claims a source with links to Apple's supply chain. According to the account yeux1122 on the Korean Naver blog, the foldable iPhone will use a custom display process for which Apple will hold branding trademark rights, and that meets Apple's stringent ...
iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full iOS 18.5 Release Notes

Tuesday May 6, 2025 2:17 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.5 to developers and public beta testers, giving us a look at the final version of the update that will be provided to the public next week. With the release candidate, Apple provided release notes, so we have a more complete look at the new features that are included in the update, including those that weren't found during the beta...
siri glow

iPhone Users Now Able to Submit Claims in $95 Million Siri Spying Lawsuit

Wednesday May 7, 2025 11:40 am PDT by
If you owned a Siri-compatible device and had an accidental Siri activation between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, you could be eligible for a payment from Apple as part of a class action lawsuit settlement. Apple in January agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit involving Siri spying accusations, and a website to distribute the funds has now been set up and...
Mayday Calendar

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Friday May 9, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy...
fortnite apple featured

Epic Games Submits Fortnite to U.S. App Store

Friday May 9, 2025 9:57 am PDT by
As promised, Epic Games today submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and if approved by Apple, it will mark the first time that the Fortnite app has been available in the United States since 2020. Fortnite will include options to purchase in-app currency from the web rather than through in-app purchase, which is what got the game banned to begin with. This time, though, Apple has been...
airpods pro purple

Apple's Camera Equipped AirPods and Apple Watch Could Launch as Soon as 2027

Thursday May 8, 2025 10:14 am PDT by
Apple is working on versions of the AirPods and Apple Watch that incorporate a camera, and the devices could be ready to launch sometime around 2027, reports Bloomberg. Apple has developed a chip codenamed "Nevis" that will be used for its camera-equipped Apple Watch, while a chip codenamed "Glennie" will be incorporated into the AirPods. Apple is aiming to have the chips ready "by around...

Top Rated Comments

jmovie Avatar
25 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
25 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
25 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
25 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
25 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
25 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)