Following a recent report mentioning that Apple’s mixed reality headset rumors will feature advanced eye tracking, trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a research note obtained by 9to5Mac that Apple has been working on hybrid ultra-short focal length lenses in order to keep the weight of the headset below 150 grams.
As mentioned by Kuo, today’s virtual reality headsets generally weigh more than 300 grams and have a bulky shape, which is something that Apple wants to solve for its own headsets. Apple’s VR device is expected to adopt Fresnel’s ultra-short focal length hybrid lenses that have improved field of view, as well as reduced weight and thickness.
The analyst believes that the new Apple headset will weigh less than 150 grams, which will be a great advantage when compared to similar devices that currently exist. The device will be equipped with plastic lenses instead of glass, which are lighter – but details about the material’s durability are unknown.
Although AR devices do not offer an immersive experience like VR devices, they generally have a more compact and favorable shape. Apple’s challenge is to make a VR-enabled device that is also lightweight and not clumsy.
For AR HMDs with transparent video and VR HMDs, the critical design trend is to achieve a thin and light design with an ultra-short focal length lens / Fresnel lens. The design challenge is also related to the display, optical material, thermal and production. We believe that solving this complicated optical project is one of the main competitive advantages of AR HMDs video-see-through and in the future.
It also reinforces that Apple will adopt Micro-OLED screens in its headphones to compensate for the reduced glare caused by Fresnel’s hybrid lenses. Earlier this month, the analyst revealed that this new device will also have 15 built-in camera lenses.
According to previous rumors, Apple’s mixed reality headset is expected to be launched in 2022, costing up to $ 1000. However, Kuo argues that shipping the product may be delayed due to supply problems.
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