These first VR headphones are likely to be more expensive than competing VR headphones and may only sell ‘one headphone per day per retail store’. This strategy is apparently intentional, as Apple continues to work on a more spectacle-like product for AR glasses.As for the VR headset itself, this product is believed to include Apple’s most advanced disc and will have a higher resolution than Oculus or HTC headphones. The power of this headset also requires a built-in fan, a design choice that Apple usually tries to avoid.
According to sources, versions of Apple’s VR headphones with its processor and fan resulted in a device that was too heavy and large over ‘neck tension’. Current designs have shrunk in size and use an exterior of material to reduce overall weight. It will also be a standalone device like the Oculus Quest.
Apple has streamlined its headphones to be much closer to the face, which reduces the size of the device but removes the space for users who wear glasses with VR headsets. It is said that one solution that Apple is working on is the development of a system where owners can place prescription lenses in the VR headset.
Prescriptive lenses, however, could open Apple up to additional government regulations.
The VR headphones feature many of the same features as competing hardware, but also some AR features. The development of AR glasses is early, but is reportedly the main goal of Apple, as the company considers AR to be a more common product compared to VR.
However, the release of a VR headset will offer the best customers for what they can expect when Apple finally releases an AR headphone, with a planned announcement allegedly aimed at 2023.
MattTM Kim is a reporter for IGN.