Apple’s AR/VR Headset May Not be Unveiled in WWDC 2022

Even after several reliable leaks, Apple’s 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 Apple’s Mixed Reality Headset

Just last month, we heard from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman that Apple’s first mixed reality headset could be launched at the WWDC event next month. This prediction was made considering a tip that Apple’s board was shown the first prototype of the headset earlier this year.

Well, we now have another analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple’s 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 – 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.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 31, 2022

Kuo reiterated that the Apple-branded mixed reality headset won’t hit stores until early 2023, thus it’s 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 Apple’s MR headset, but it was copyrighted by another firm in various countries.

So it’s 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.