US tech giant Apple is set to reveal its long-awaited mixed reality (MR) headset in the “second half” of 2022, 9 to 5 Mac reported on Wednesday, citing DigiTimes.
According to the report, the upcoming head-mounted device completed its second round of testing and should move to the production stage in the second quarter next year.
Previous reports stated Apple would release the device in mid-2022, but the most recent findings show a delay of the product launch.
The report added the new MR headset would cost roughly $2,000 and will not be a standalone device, but will require tethering to an iPhone or MacBook with a Bluetooth connection.
It will also include a camera and laser optical sensor, contain a “high-strength, lightweight magnesium alloy material” for top durability, and would weigh up to 110 grammes, the report said.
The report concluded Apple also plans to release a pair of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses in 2023 for a cheaper price, and could potentially unveil the product along with the iPhone 14 next year.
The news comes after the Cupertino-based firm filed multiple technological patents for the upcoming device, including an air-conditioning unit, an MR user interface (UI), and biometric face tracking upgrades, among many others.
Apple also requested this month materials used for a potential high-resolution organic light emitting diode (OLED) display to boost the device’s resolution rates.
