In just three weeks, Tim Cook will kick off one of WWDC’s most anticipated keynotes, with the expected arrival of Apple’s first AR headset prompting a flurry of rumored announcements. Now, a report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple is “well prepared” for next month’s Reality Pro announcement.
Along with confirming that the helmet is imminent, Kuo outlines five vendors for the five most expensive materials. As expected, the display and cameras are at the top of the list, with Apple using several vendors to supply components:
- Assembly: Luxshare-ICT
- Micro-OLED display: Sony
- Two processors: TSMC
- Case: Everwin Precision
- Camera modules: Cowell
- External battery: Goretek
Apple has used many of these suppliers before, with Goretek supplying AirPods parts, and Cowell, Sony, Luxshare and Everwin Precision responsible for various iPhone components. TSMC has been Apple’s silicon partner for many years. Kuo says Cowell will be “the biggest beneficiary in terms of revenue and profit contribution.” It doesn’t say who will supply the actual sensors, but they will likely be made by Sony.
If you needed more reason to be excited, Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, who presumably tried out the headset, wrote that the device is “so good” on Twitter. A handful of reports of people using the headphones have surfaced recently, suggesting that Apple is both showing off the headphones and allowing people to generate buzz with vague impressions.
After years of rumors, Apple’s Reality Pro headset is one of the most anticipated products since the Apple Watch. The latest reports claim that the headset will come with a host of technologies, including a magnetic battery, dual 4K displays, advanced eye tracking, and broad app support. It’s expected to cost over $3,000 and may not be available until late 2023.
