Apple reportedly pushes back production of upcoming VR headset

We've known through leaks that Apple has been working on its own VR/AR headset for quite some time now. Analysts have believed that we'll see Apple's first mixed-reality headset in 2023, but it is now being reported that Apple has some concerns about the current state of the VR market. 

While at one point Apple CEO, Tim Cook, was extremely bullish on the future of mixed reality technology, the market has stagnated in recent years. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is no longer optimistic about the mixed reality market and is pushing back production of its first headset to Q3. It is also anticipated that Apple will only sell around 200,000 to 300,000 units, which is a dip below previous expectations.

Kuo believes Apple is concerned that a combination of economic downturn, compromised hardware specifications and a lack of polished ecosystem and high price tag will lead to low sales for its first headset.

Apple just recently confirmed its dates for WWDC and the invitation could tease fresnel lenses for a VR headset. Apple has put hints on event invitations before, although given this recent news, Apple may push back its unveiling to a later date.

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KitGuru Says: Given that this headset has a rumoured price tag of $3000 or higher, we would expect sales to be quite low. Sony is already having a hard time having reportedly only sold 300,000 PSVR 2 headsets over the last six weeks and that is a much cheaper and consumer-marketed device. Apple might have a bit more market pull, but once you start reaching such high price points, you are really marketing to professionals and developers rather than consumers and hobbyists. 

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