Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

Apple's MR headset to use magnetically-attached tethered battery

A render of a potential Apple headset [AppleInsider]


Last updated

Apple's mixed reality headset will feature a magnetic port for attaching a battery pack to the device, it is claimed, but it will just offer two hours of battery life.

The often-rumored AR and VR headset is still set to make a splash at the upcoming WWDC 2023 keynote, but it seems Apple is still sticking to the idea of a tethered battery pack. In new details in a Sunday leak, it appears Apple is taking a fairly unique route with the concept.

In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that the headset will sport an external battery pack with a cable permanently connected to it. The cable will have a proprietary connector on one end that attaches to the headset itself.

That connector will apparently be magnetic in nature, but it will be firmly connected so it doesn't fall out while in motion. Round-tipped, the cable connector will lock into the port by the user turning it.

By using a battery pack separate from the headset itself, Apple is attempting to avoid weight problems when it is worn. The move reduces pressure on the face that could make it uncomfortable, a typical complaint of other headsets like Meta's Quest, though users will instead have to deal with a cable and to stow the battery pack in a pocket.

For users expecting a long session with the headset, they may have to acquire more battery packs, which are said to be the same size as a MagSafe Battery Pack. Each battery will apparently last up to 2 hours at a time, but they can be swapped by changing cables at the magnetic port.

The use of a battery pack was a controversial decision for Apple's engineers, due to the company's preference for a cable-free design. While the battery could've been integrated in other ways, such as in the section of the headband to the rear of the head for balance, a tethered battery was chosen instead for this first release.

The magnetic port won't be the only one used on the headset. A USB-C connection will be available, which will be used for data rather than for power.

The battery packs will also sport USB-C, for recharging. It will also be recharged using the same adapter included with a MacBook Pro.



15 Comments

tht 24 Years · 5736 comments

I'm curious why Apple didn't, well, is rumored not to have, put the computing chip bits in with the battery pack too. If would have made the goggles lighter, slimmer, thermally cooler. The only reason I can think of is that it's pretty difficult to push >5K 120 Hz through a wire, and this would have 2.

It may have to have a fan to cool all the chips and to cool your face.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes
Xed 5 Years · 2967 comments

tht said:
I'm curious why Apple didn't, well, is rumored not to have, put the computing chip bits in with the battery pack too. If would have made the goggles lighter, slimmer, thermally cooler. The only reason I can think of is that it's pretty difficult to push >5K 120 Hz through a wire, and this would have 2.

It may have to have a fan to cool all the chips and to cool your face.

Why does it need 5K (14.7M pixels) if the screen is an inch from you eye?

1 Like · 0 Dislikes
jagbatth 7 Years · 9 comments

tht said:
I'm curious why Apple didn't, well, is rumored not to have, put the computing chip bits in with the battery pack too. If would have made the goggles lighter, slimmer, thermally cooler. The only reason I can think of is that it's pretty difficult to push >5K 120 Hz through a wire, and this would have 2.

It may have to have a fan to cool all the chips and to cool your face.I think the eventual goal is to have everything run on and within the VR/AR headset and as battery tech progresses with newer longer lasting options available, the tethered configuration will be phased out in future iterations. So the less reliance and push of the external battery set is preferred rather than increased reliance. 



3 Likes · 0 Dislikes
Marvin 19 Years · 15374 comments

By using a battery pack separate from the headset itself, Apple is attempting to avoid weight problems when it is worn. The move reduces pressure on the face that could make it uncomfortable, a typical complaint of other headsets like Meta's Quest, though users will instead have to deal with a cable and to stow the battery pack in a pocket.

For users expecting a long session with the headset, they may have to acquire more battery packs, which are said to be the same size as a MagSafe Battery Pack. Each battery will apparently last up to 2 hours at a time, but they can be swapped by changing cables at the magnetic port.

The use of a battery pack was a controversial decision for Apple's engineers, due to the company's preference for a cable-free design. While the battery could've been integrated in other ways, such as in the section of the headband to the rear of the head for balance, a tethered battery was chosen instead for this first release.

It's unavoidable to have a cable until battery tech improves significantly (10x density). I expect it will be able to attach to a belt or lanyard, especially for women who often don't have pockets.



It will then be easy to buy multiple batteries and switch them. 

By taking the battery weight entirely away from the headset, they can make it much lighter and more comfortable to wear. 3rd parties will come up with head mounted batteries e.g in a headband like Airpods Max if people want to reduce the cables. Airpods Max could even get an update to let the headset share its battery. This wouldn't last long doing intensive rendering but rendering a movie would be ok.

1 Like · 0 Dislikes
palegolas 20 Years · 1362 comments

I can't see a single type of scenario where 2 hours of use is enough. Even just watching a single movie, or a few episodes of a TV series will easily surpass 2 hours. That's just sad. If the battery pack is external, I would assume you could get a bigger battery if you like. Hoping for this rumour to be false.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes