Apple Planning AR Headset Launch for 2022, AR Glasses for 2023

We have been writing about Apple’s AR headset plans for a long time now. Last time we reported about the headsets, they were expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2020.

And now, according to a new report, Apple has pushed back plans to release its first AR headset to 2022. The Information today published a report on Apple’s AR headset plans, with information from an internal presentation led by Apple’s head of AR and VR at Cupertino.

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According to the new report, Apple’s first AR headset, codenamed N301, will arrive in 2022. The headset apparently looks like a slimmer version of the Oculus Quest and uses external cameras to map the user’s surroundings. It will feature high-resolution displays capable of combining virtual objects with the real world, and Apple plans to start working with app developers as early as 2021 to help build apps for the headset.

And along with the main AR headset, Apple is also apparently working on AR glasses for a 2023 release. The report claims that current prototypes of the new AR glasses look like “high-priced sunglasses with thick frames that house the battery and chips.” These AR Glasses could be the next big thing for Apple if it’s successful as it has the potential to reach mainstream consumers more than the full-blown AR headset. In fact, Apple senior executives believe the new device could even replace the iPhone in a decade.

With Apple yet to officially acknowledge its AR headset plans, we really can’t tell exactly when these devices will become a reality. It’s no secret Apple has invested a lot into AR in recent years, and that could pave the way for its AR hardware in a few year’s time. For now, though, Apple fans will just have to be patient.