Apple is rumored to be developing plans for a more affordable version of the Vision Pro – its first mixed reality (MR) headset. While no release date has been revealed and the device isn’t even official, it’s speculated to launch by the end of 2025. According to a recent report, these new headphones could feature larger screens but lower resolutions in an attempt to keep costs down.
A cheaper Vision Pro with lower resolution screens
According to a report by The Elec, the more affordable version of the Apple Vision Pro could offer large 2.1-inch OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) displays, making them significantly larger than those present on the current Vision Pro headset. These screens are predicted to have a resolution of 1700 pixels per inch (ppi).
Currently, Sony is reportedly Apple’s primary supplier of these microdisplays. However, its production capacity is limited to 9,00,000 panels per year, and since each headset uses two screens, this means that the maximum capacity supports 4,50,000 mixed reality headsets.
To tackle this, Apple has reportedly issued a request for information (RFI) – a process for obtaining technology-related information before product development – to other display manufacturers, including Samsung and LG, to assess their production capabilities. According to the report, this is not only an attempt to increase Vision Pro shipments, but also to establish a stable supply of displays. However, it is reportedly unclear whether both companies will respond to Apple’s request.
Namely, the Apple Vision Pro consists of two 1.42-inch screens with a pixel density of 3400 ppi. These displays are also considered to be one of the key reasons behind the handset’s hefty price tag of $3,499 (roughly Rs. 290,000), with the displays themselves reportedly costing $456 (roughly Rs. 38,000).
If it comes to fruition, the screens on the more affordable Vision Pro would mean a big reduction compared to the existing version, but what could also result in a lower overall price for the mixed reality headset.
