Apple may not have unveiled its first VR headset yet, but reports indicate it's already started development on its second VR headset.
At the moment, it appears that Apple is working on at least two VR/AR devices. Apple VR headsets, which will rival Project Cambria and Pico 4 Pro with VR and AR capabilities, and Apple Glasses, AR specs that act more like Google Glass. None of the devices have been officially revealed, but there are plenty of rumors that the headset will launch next year and the glasses will arrive later (either 2023 or 2024).
But even before Apple has released any of these devices, it's apparently already looking to make some improvements, with a report from The Elec (opens in a new tab) indicating that the California-based tech company is applying for OLEDs in panels. of silicon. Samsung Display and LG Display 3.500 ppi. Previously it was rumored that Apple only required panels of around 2800 ppi.
Silicon-based OLED panels are similar to what the best OLED TVs use, but they are very small, usually less than 1 inch.
The only products in Apple's current lineup that would require a small screen are its smartwatches like the Apple Watch 8, which has a smaller screen size of 41mm, or 1,6 inches. However, that super high-end OLED on SIlicon panels from LG or Samsung would be overkill for the wearable. The Apple Watch 8 currently offers 326 dpi, which is pretty similar to previous models, so a 10x increase to 3500 dpi for the Apple Watch 9 or Apple Watch 10 would come out of nowhere.
Instead, it makes much more sense to see these types of panels used in some sort of VR headset or AR goggle where high ppi can drastically increase immersion. However, since Samsung and LG aren't expected to start production of such panels until 2024, if Apple's earphones can maintain their purported 2023 release date, we'll probably have to wait for their second generation to see these high-resolution ones. . shows in action.
Analysis: Who Needs All Those Pixels?
The reason Apple and other VR headset makers want panels with incredibly high ppi numbers is to combat screen-gate.
If you get very close to a digital screen, like your computer monitor, you can see these black lines appear around each pixel, it's the screen door effect. For most devices, it's not as noticeable because the screen isn't on your face, but in VR, the effect is harder to hide.
As you increase the ppi, you must also increase the number of pixels per degree (ppd), as Meta has previously said it hopes to one day reach 60 ppd (the point at which deviations will become imperceptible to the human eye). Without that constant reminder that you're looking at a screen, the best VR games should feel much more immersive.
Currently, the Quest 2 offers 21ppd, with its 773ppi screen, and Project Cambria will hopefully do better with its 1230ppi screen; Although we do not know its focal length, it is impossible to determine its ppd at this time. Similarly, we can't predict the ppd of Apple's 2800 or 3500 OLED panels, but they're likely to be much closer to the 60 ppd target than anything Meta currently offers.
We'll have to wait and see what Apple announces in the coming years, but if the rumors are true, it may have the new best VR headset up its sleeve.