Apple's AR headset rumored to ship with M1 chip, micro OLED

As supply chain sources claim Apple is entering a second round of pre-production tests on its AR headset, a new report provides some details on the hardware in the unit.

The big news is the rumored inclusion of the M1 processor in the device. The same report also backs up previous reports that Apple's headset will use micro OLED displays.

According to Korea's ET News, Samsung is now deciding on the release date for its first headset. At the same time, Samsung has also reportedly formed a task force focused on working with Microsoft to develop further AR headsets.

"The metaverse device market is expected to grow at a annual rate of 80%, and emerge as a new market following smartphones," an unnamed parts company official told the publication. "The parts and equipment industry is also risking everything to become a partner."

Samsung's own AR headset is said to use hologram technology. Developed over an extended period by the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, the hologram headset is made in conjunction with the US firm DigiLens.

ET News says Samsung's own headset will be based on an Exynos processor, and use Google's Android for the operating system. Microsoft's headsets, made with Samsung, will also use this hologram technology.

Apple has repeatedly been predicted to release its first headset in late 2022. Recently, however, it's been claimed that the device has run into difficulties that may push it back into 2023.

Alongside Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and even Meta (formerly Facebook), it's recently been reported that Google is working on a rival headset.