Apple’s MR headset looks less and less appealing by the day

Even more rumors suggest that Apple’s mixed reality headset could cost upwards of $2,000 at launch (around £1,500 / AU$2,750).

While Apple has yet to officially announce its VR and AR plans, multiple leaks have suggested the tech giant is developing an Apple MR headset as well as a pair of AR-enabled Apple Glasses.

This latest price rumor comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his Power-Up Bulletin and follows a series of other leaks from last week regarding Apple’s virtual reality efforts.

Yet rather than making us more excited to see what Apple has developed, every detail has made its VR and AR plans increasingly unattractive. If Apple dreams of competing with Meta in the VR space, it might need to upgrade its plans, or it might find its MR headset dead on arrival.

Review: The wrong price at the wrong time

From what we’ve recently heard about Apple’s MR headset, we can expect a product as powerful as the M1 MacBook Pro, which will deliver full virtual and augmented reality experiences and weigh less than 150g; seems almost too good to be true.

Unfortunately, everything has a price. The headset should cost between $2,000 and $3,000, but we’ve also heard that you’ll only be able to play for short bursts (likely due to intentional battery constraints) and we probably won’t be able to wear it. until 2023.

By then, Apple’s biggest competitor in space, Meta, will likely have launched two headsets that threaten to oust Apple before it can even enter space.

The first of these Meta devices is Project Cambria, which is expected to drop this year based on feedback from the company during its 2021 keynote. This targeted high-end VR headset will cost more than its lineup of devices. Oculus Quest, but will offer enhanced features that facilitate more immersive experiences.

The second device would be the long-awaited Oculus Quest 3, and if both of these headsets launch by 2023, then an Apple headset would find itself fighting a battle of both ends.

Users who want a great VR experience without paying thousands would opt for an Oculus Quest 3 – which would likely be priced around $250-$400 to match the Oculus Quest 2. Meanwhile, gamers and companies after a premium option might opt ​​for Project Cambria – which is likely to launch for less than $2,000 to continue Meta’s success with affordable VR headsets.

The only thing Apple’s MR headset would have is augmented reality, but the Oculus Quest 2 already has some limited AR tools and may have a head start here.

Even if the rumored inclusion of a powerful M1 chip comes to fruition, it looks like Apple’s headset will only be able to be used in short bursts anyway.

There’s a chance we could see Apple’s plans change. We heard recently that Apple is delaying the device to 2023, due to ongoing development issues, but it’s possible that Apple is biding its time and looking to release the best version of the product possible.

That said, Apple is a company that likes to do its own thing, for better or worse – so whenever it chooses to announce its MR headset, it may be stuck with a product no one wants.

• Already have a VR headset? Here are the best VR games you can play in 2022