Apple VR headset with hybrid three-display combo will debut in late 2022, analysts claim

Apple is predicted to release a VR headset with three displays and an AR pass-through mode in the second half of 2022, display analysts predict.

The Apple VR headset will reportedly sport an "innovative display configuration" consisting of two microOLED displays and a single AMOLED panel, according to analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants said. It will support both virtual reality (VR) and a passthrough augmented reality (AR) modes.

Sony is expected to supply Apple with the necessary micro OLED panels. The company recently showed off a 4K VR display with about 4,000 pixels-per-inch, which DSCC says may have been developed for Apple. Going on an assumption of a 4,000 x 4,000 pixel array, DSCC estimates that the display will measure 1.4 inches on the diagonal.

On the third AMOLED display, the analysts predicted that it could be used for low-resolution peripheral vision. That's because AMOLED displays have traditionally had too low of a pixel density for VR.

The advanced display configuration will likely come at a high price for consumers, DSCC said. The firm added that it expects the device to cost "several thousand dollars" — and offered some predictions about its target market.

"Our assumption is that the first-generation headset will be a high-end device targeted at professionals and developers to expand Apple's ecosystem in AR/VR," the analysts wrote. "The device will also have multiple cameras enabling hand tracking and possibly a LiDAR sensor, according to rumors. Apple will likely include a powerful mobile CPU and GPU in the headset."

DSCC also notes that Meta — formerly known as Facebook — is "well on track" to capitalize on the appetite for VR, with an estimated installed base of 10 million headsets. Apple's entry into the space, however, will represent a "significant signal that AR/VR is set to become a major computing platform," the analysts wrote.

Rumors of a high-end Apple VR headset have been circulating for some time. Back in early 2021, a report indicated that the Cupertino tech giant could debut a $3,000 mixed-reality visor with ultra-high-resolution displays in 2022. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the device could weigh less than a pound, while Bloomberg expects the device to be able to handle "games in high-quality virtual reality with snappy chips and high-end displays."

DSCC is an analysis firm that has a good track record of forecasting Apple display moves. For example, DSCC correctly predicted that the iPhone 12 Pro would lack 120Hz support, and that the 2021 MacBook Pro models would have Mini LED displays.

21 Comments

mike1 3432 comments · 10 Years

About 2 years ago

AppleInsider said:

The Apple VR headset will reportedly sport an "innovative display configuration" consisting of two microOLED displays and a single AMOLED panel, according to analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants said. It will support both virtual reality (VR) and a passthrough augmented reality (AR) modes.

On the third AMOLED display, the analysts predicted that it could be used for low-resolution peripheral vision. That's because AMOLED displays have traditionally had too low of a pixel density for VR.

That sounds odd. If the AMOLED display was for peripheral vision, you would need two of those and one of the MicroOLED displays front and center.

byronl 377 comments · 4 Years

About 2 years ago

mike1 said:

AppleInsider said:

The Apple VR headset will reportedly sport an "innovative display configuration" consisting of two microOLED displays and a single AMOLED panel, according to analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants said. It will support both virtual reality (VR) and a passthrough augmented reality (AR) modes.

On the third AMOLED display, the analysts predicted that it could be used for low-resolution peripheral vision. That's because AMOLED displays have traditionally had too low of a pixel density for VR.

That sounds odd. If the AMOLED display was for peripheral vision, you would need two of those and one of the MicroOLED displays front and center.

exactly. i don’t get this at all

GeeAye 39 comments · 5 Years

About 2 years ago

Apple is predicted to release a VR headset with three displays and an AR pass-through mode in the second half of 2022, display analysts predict.

So analysts predict that there will be a prediction?

Marvin 15336 comments · 18 Years

About 2 years ago

mike1 said:

AppleInsider said:

The Apple VR headset will reportedly sport an "innovative display configuration" consisting of two microOLED displays and a single AMOLED panel, according to analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants said. It will support both virtual reality (VR) and a passthrough augmented reality (AR) modes.

On the third AMOLED display, the analysts predicted that it could be used for low-resolution peripheral vision. That's because AMOLED displays have traditionally had too low of a pixel density for VR.

That sounds odd. If the AMOLED display was for peripheral vision, you would need two of those and one of the MicroOLED displays front and center.

I would assume that one layer would be used for darkening like the dimming zones on the XDR display. One problem with AR is that when ambient light passes into the glasses, it's very bright, especially outside. Some glasses have tried to counter this by using extremely bright displays like 2,000 nits but this is still not enough in bright light and it impacts battery life a lot. It also affects the color accuracy and opacity because the ambient light mixes with the virtual images. If they have a dimming layer that blocks incoming light behind virtual images in AR, the front layer wouldn't need to be nearly so bright and would be much easier to produce opaque and color accurate images. This part of the display could be made fully dark to go into VR mode, blocking all incoming light and projecting virtual images in front. For example a high resolution microOLED for each eye and a lower resolution dimming layer behind.

For price, I don't expect it to be more than $999 and if it is, not by much, it's not going to be more complex than the premium iPhone lineup. If all the processing would be done by a connected device like an iPhone/Mac, it could be priced at $499 but I expect they will do on-device processing.

mattinoz 2473 comments · 9 Years

About 2 years ago

mike1 said:

AppleInsider said:

The Apple VR headset will reportedly sport an "innovative display configuration" consisting of two microOLED displays and a single AMOLED panel, according to analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants said. It will support both virtual reality (VR) and a passthrough augmented reality (AR) modes.

On the third AMOLED display, the analysts predicted that it could be used for low-resolution peripheral vision. That's because AMOLED displays have traditionally had too low of a pixel density for VR.

That sounds odd. If the AMOLED display was for peripheral vision, you would need two of those and one of the MicroOLED displays front and center.

Not if far enough away in front of the eyes, they could even put blinkers to make the screen stereoscopic. I'd assume even it's only for peripheral context it would only be grey scale as the outer part of the eye only sees grey giving them effectively 3 times the resolution.

The 2 high density colour screens would need to track the eyes focus to give the detail to the most sensitive part of the eye.

Still that sounds like a fair high powered device with lots of complexity and sensors in bother direction.
M1 Max and a $3000 price tag doesn't seem out of the question.