Analysts predict that Apple's MR headset will have the same computing power as the MacBook Pro, though other reports suggest you'll only be able to use it for short periods of time.
Speculation about the mixed reality headset's processing power comes from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via AppleInsider). He predicts that the Apple headphones will likely have the same M1 chip and similar computing power as the MacBook Pro, given that the Apple MR headphones will require the same 96W charger as the high-end laptop.
Unfortunately, there may be limits to this incredible power, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman cites multiple sources saying that Apple's headphones are designed to be used only in short bursts.
We doubt that Apple would impose digital timeouts on its customers to lock them out of headphones, so it's more likely that the company intentionally installed a small battery to force users to periodically return to the real world.
Given that previous rumors indicated that Apple wanted the headset to weigh less than 150g - the Oculus Quest 2 weighs 500g by comparison - but also wants it to perform high-end mixed reality features, reducing battery size will be a big deal. necessary step. to reduce weight. .
As with all leaks, we should take this new information with a grain of salt, but these latest reports create a cohesive picture of what we should expect from an Apple AR device, and we're not fans of what we're hearing. .
Apple's premium MR headphones will face stiff competition when it enters the market.
The biggest name in the game right now is the Oculus Quest 2, a VR headset behemoth from Meta that has sold over 10 million units worldwide.
The main draw of Quest 2 is its reasonable price (you can pick one up for just $299 / £299 / AU$479) and there are a host of great Quest 2 games that you can enjoy in sessions of up to about four hours. (which is more than enough for now).
The Quest Store's game list includes some great exclusives like Resident Evil 4 VR and The Climb, and when Apple's headset launches, we may also be playing GTA: San Andres VR.
On the other hand, Apple's headphones are expected to cost much more with a price tag of around $3000 / £2200, AU$3900.
The rumor that the M1 chip would make it run much faster than the Quest 2, and the mixed reality features, which would allow it to switch from augmented reality to virtual reality experiences, could help it stand out.
Despite this, we're not sure those outside of die-hard Apple fans would be that interested. We suspect that this device will live or die based on the software released alongside it, something we know very little about at this point.
Gamers and those looking for remote work options can turn to some amazing apps in Quest 2; Apple will have to offer some good alternatives if it wants people to spend 10 times more than they would on the Meta earphones.
Also, we'll have to see what Meta (formerly Facebook) is doing with its Project Cambria headset that's scheduled to launch this year. Cambria is marketed as a premium wireless VR headset and is likely to be seen as a direct competitor to Apple's mixed reality device.
Cambria comes with an early lead, thanks to the Quest Store software library. If it can be positioned as a more useful and cheaper alternative, priced at $1,500 / £1,100 / AU$2,100 or less, then the Apple device would have even less reason to exist.
Then there's the Oculus Quest 3, which is due to launch next year, and that's outside of PC-VR rivals like Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro, which already offer high-end VR at a premium price. .
We'll have to wait and see how Apple's MR headphones perform this year, but we're not convinced it'll go all the way - by 2023 we should know if we're right.
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