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Apple Vision Pro Price Drop: Lower Resolution, Lower Price
- Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset might soon be much easier on your wallet.
- Apple is betting on lower resolution displays and fewer features. Will it pay off?
- Get yourself ready for the next Apple Vision—it’ll be cheaper, but at what cost?
Apple is reportedly developing a more affordable version of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, but they are doing it by incorporating lower-resolution displays, according to several recent reports. This move could significantly lower the production costs of Apple's next-generation headset. The current Apple Vision Pro became available to consumers earlier this year at a steep pricepoint of $3,500.
Photo via SamMobile // Apple's next Vision Pro headset, widely expected to be named simply Apple Vision, could soon feature a lower-resolution display, making it more affordable for users.
A Shift in Display Technology
Sources indicate that Apple has already begun receiving samples of OLED displays from Japan Display Inc. (JDI) featuring a pixel density of approximately 1,500 pixels per inch (PPI). This marks a considerable drop from the 3,391 PPI currently found in the Vision Pro model. Reducing pixel density is a critical step in lowering production costs without compromising much on visual quality.
"The cost of the displays is one of the primary reasons the current Vision Pro is priced so high," analysts have noted. Industry reports suggest Apple is also in discussions with Samsung Display and LG Display for OLED panels with a slightly higher 1,700 PPI resolution. While the lower density could result in a slightly less immersive experience, it could still provide a compelling user experience at a significantly lower price point.
Competing Technologies: GCS vs. OLEDoS
A notable shift in display technology could also contribute to cost savings. The JDI sample utilizes Glass Core Substrate (GCS) OLED technology, rather than the more expensive OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) displays used in the current Vision Pro. This transition to GCS OLED may be instrumental in Apple's efforts to produce a more budget-friendly headset, with Mark Gurman of Bloomberg suggesting that the company could further cut costs by tethering the device to an iPhone or Mac for processing power, rather than building a standalone system.
Photo via Yanko Design // A woman trialling the Apple Vision Pro. The current Vision Pro model, priced at $3,500, may soon get a budget sibling with scaled-back features.
The Timeline: Two to Three Years Away
While speculation about a more affordable Vision Pro has been ongoing since its launch, DigiTimes suggests that mass production of the cheaper version could still be two to three years away. This timeline has tempered earlier reports that predicted a late 2025 release.
Meanwhile, competition among display manufacturers is heating up. Companies from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are all vying to secure contracts with Apple. South Korean display makers, particularly Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD), are seen as leading candidates due to their expertise in OLED deposition technology. Taiwanese manufacturers, known for their advancements in thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, are also expected to play a key role in this race.
What Could Be Sacrificed?
Beyond the display changes, the budget version of the Apple Vision Pro may see additional downgrades. Some reports suggest Apple could remove the EyeSight feature, a key component in the current Vision Pro that allows onlookers to see the user's eyes through an outward-facing screen. The removal of this feature, along with the use of lighter materials, could help streamline production and make the headset more accessible to a wider audience.
It’s also been speculated that the cheaper model might feature a narrower field of view than its predecessor. As Apple continues to refine its vision for the future of spatial computing, these compromises may be necessary to bring the Vision Pro to market at a more competitive price point.
Market Outlook: What’s Next?
While Apple’s Vision Pro has been lauded for its innovative technology, its hefty price tag has limited its appeal. Early reviews have noted that while the device is technologically impressive, the high cost and limited content offerings have curbed its initial success. As a result, industry analysts believe that a cheaper version of the headset is crucial for Apple to gain a foothold in the burgeoning mixed-reality market.
The ongoing development of this more affordable version signals Apple’s long-term commitment to the spatial computing market. However, with mass production still a few years away, it remains to be seen how competitive Apple’s more budget-friendly MR headset will be in a market likely to see increasing competition from other tech giants.
Photo via PhoneArena // Lower pixel density displays, like the ones Apple is testing, could be the key to slashing the Vision Pro’s price.
Key Takeaways
- Apple is working on a budget version of its Apple Vision headset, potentially featuring lower-resolution OLED displays.
- The JDI sample provided to Apple reportedly has a 1,500 PPI pixel density, significantly less than the 3,391 PPI used in the current Vision Pro model.
- Samsung and LG Display are also involved, with potential displays featuring a 1,700 PPI resolution.
- The cheaper headset may rely on iPhone or Mac connectivity, reducing the need for standalone processing power.
- DigiTimes estimates a mass production timeline of two to three years, pushing the release date to late 2026.
Photo via PatentlyApple // Apple’s EyeSight feature, seen here, may be dropped from the cheaper Apple Vision version.
Conclusion
Apple’s pursuit of a lower-cost Vision Pro headset underscores its ambition to make spatial computing more accessible to the masses. While the high-end version remains a premium product, the introduction of a more affordable alternative could help Apple capture a larger share of the market. But with competition growing from global display makers, it will be interesting to see how this new device evolves over the coming years.
As always, the tech world eagerly awaits further details, but one thing is clear: Apple's vision for the future isn't going away anytime soon.
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