Apple Mixed Reality Headset to Feature Waist Mounted Battery, Digital Crown, H2 Chip, More [Report]

Numerous details about Apple's upcoming mixed reality headset have allegedly been leaked in a new paywalled report from The Information.

The Information has already revealed some features in its previous reporting—for example, how the headset resembles a pair of ski goggles and will use an array of cameras to allow people to experience both augmented and virtual reality. But some details about the device, based on interviews with multiple people who have worked on it, are reported here for the first time.

Here's a summary of what's predicted...


● Waist mounted battery thats connects with a MagSafe like power cable to the headset's headband
● Two hour battery life. Batteries can be swapped out.
● Cameras mainly concealed for aesthetic purposes
● Design uses aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber for reduced size and weight
● Digital Crown-like dial on right side to transition between virtual and physical world. No haptic feedback.
● Different headbands including one for developers, another for consumers made from Apple Watch sportband material with built-in speakers
● Prescription lenses can be magnetically attached
● Small motors will automatically adjust internal lenses to match wearer's interpupillary distance
● A 120-degree field of view
● H2 chip for ultra-low latency connection with the AirPods Pro 2 and future AirPods models
● Two 5nm chips including main SoC and dedicated image signal processor
● Ability to run iOS apps in 2D
● Wand and finger thimble control input methods tested
● Dedicated gaming controller not expected
● Unity may be first partner to offer full VR experiences
● Videoconferencing with digital avatars is a feature being focused on
● Software has been created to allow dragging Maps off screen to display a 3D model on a table top
● Headset has large outward facing display on its front to show facial expressions of wearer to people around them
● Outward facing display supports ultra-low refresh rate
● Interior Sony microOLED displays for each eye with 4K resolution, forming 8K image
● Each eye tracked by at least one camera, enabling accurate avatar gaze
● Eye tracking enables foveated rendering so only images where the user is looking need to be rendered in full resolution
● More than a dozen cameras and sensors to capture facial expressions and body movements
● Short and long range LiDAR scanners to map surfaces and distances
● Thousands of prototype units already produced by Pegatron
● Price of around $3,000 or more discussed

Apple was previously expected to release its headset in 2022 but that time table has allegedly been delayed to some time this year.

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[via MacRumors]