Apple's first augmented reality (AR) headset will reportedly be released in 2022. Its capabilities will be as fast as a Mac with the Apple M1.
This is an analysis from Ming-chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International who often has accurate information about Apple. According to Kuo, the headset will be equipped with two processors.
One of these processors will have computing capabilities equivalent to the Apple M1. While the second processor is a power-saving chip in charge of taking care of input from various sensors in the headset.
According to Kuo, the AR headset will have at least 6-8 optical modules that will provide information continuously, including producing video to be displayed on the AR headset.
Then the headset will also be equipped with two 4K OLED microdisplay screens made by Sony.
Regarding the capabilities of the headset, which is equivalent to a Mac device, Kuo stated that this headset can function independently of other devices, such as the iPhone, and has various applications that will distinguish it from competing devices.
According to him, if the headset relies on a Mac or iPhone to function, the growth of these products will not be good. If the headset can function without other devices, it means that the headset will have its own ecosystem and can provide the most complete and flexible user experience.
Kuo also has another analysis. According to him, the iPhone has only 10 years left before it is finally replaced by another device. The device that Kuo meant to replace the iPhone was an AR device.
Apple CEO Tim Cook himself has repeatedly expressed his hopes for this AR-based device.
"Currently there are more than a billion active iPhones. If Apple's goal is to replace iPhones with AR in the next 10 years, that means Apple will have to sell at least a billion AR devices in 10 years," Kuo said.
