Even after several reliable leaks, Appleโs mixed reality headset is unlikely to launch anytime soon. This comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, a renowned analyst who says Apple may not launch its AR/VR headset at WWDC 2022.
Instead, this could come before the public in fall this year and may be available for sale early next year. Kuo reasoned this delay was intended by Apple, just to avoid its competitors from copying the product.
Expected Launch of Appleโs Mixed Reality Headset
Just last month, we heard from Bloombergโs Mark Gurman that Appleโs first mixed reality headset could be launched at the WWDC event next month. This prediction was made considering a tip that Appleโs board was shown the first prototype of the headset earlier this year.
Well, we now have another analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo said that Appleโs AR/VR headset may not be making its debut next month! One of the reasons he thinks for this skipping is that Apple may allow its competitors enough time to copy this headset โ by showcasing early at WWDC.
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It still takes some time before Apple AR/MR headset enters mass production, so I don't think Apple will release AR/MR headset and rumored realityOS at WWDC this year. Apple's competitors worldwide can't wait to see the hardware spec and OS design for Apple's AR/MR headset.— ้ญๆ้ค (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 31, 2022
Kuo reiterated that the Apple-branded mixed reality headset wonโt hit stores until early 2023, thus itโs fair to think that Apple may skip launching it at WWDC and unveiling it later this year. This is in line with another analyst Jeff Pu, who said the product will be delayed until the first quarter of 2023.
Well, this tentative date remained the same since the beginning of leaks, unveiling the product was expected to happen early in most cases. One of the reasons for this is the leak of realityOS, which is touted to be used in Appleโs MR headset, but it was copyrighted by another firm in various countries.
So itโs safe to assume that Apple needs enough time to fight against all these and set up a grand launch for its first-ever mixed reality (MR) headset later this year, probably in September alongside the new iPhone batch.
