Apple Vision Pro Cheaper Model with Lower Resolution OLED Displays: What to Expect

Apple's Cheaper Vision Headset: Display Details

Apple Vision Pro was launched earlier this year as the company's first mixed reality (MR) headset. With a price tag of $3,499, it’s a premium device. However, Apple is now venturing into a cheaper Vision headset that may be revealed in the coming years. This new model is expected to cut costs significantly by using lower resolution OLED displays.

Insights into OLED Technology

The Elec reports that Apple received an OLED panel sample from Japan Display Inc. (JDI), designed specifically for MR headsets. This panel substitutes the advanced OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) technology, resulting in a resolution of 1,500ppi, notably lower than the original Apple Vision Pro's 3,391ppi. The new sample also incorporates technology from Sony, which has been Apple's primary supplier for Vision Pro screens.

Future Expectations

In previous reports, Apple seemed poised to equip its future Vision headset with larger displays, utilizing a resolution of 1,700ppi. This implies that the affordable MR headset might feature bigger displays, despite the lowered resolution. Additionally, Apple reached out to LG and Samsung for their microdisplay technologies, although responses to these requests remain unclear.

Market Outlook

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman notes that Apple's pursuit of expanding its lineup of mixed reality devices continues, potentially offering two new models. The least expensive version is rumored to be slated for a 2025 release. However, if recent insights from The Elec hold true, the rollout of this cheaper MR headset may extend further into the future.