Concerned by the unexpected reception of the Vision Pro headset, Apple has been scrambling to find new, lower-resolution display panels to create a more budget-friendly version of the spatial computing headset, according to recent reports from the DigiTimes.
Now Apple has already received new OLED screen samples from Japan Display (JDI) with a pixel density of around 1,500 pixels per inch (PPI), it claims the Elec. That’s significantly lower resolution than the 3,391 PPI displays used in the current Vision Pro, which was released earlier this year, starting at $3,500.
By reducing the pixel density, Apple could significantly reduce manufacturing costs while still delivering a high-quality visual experience. Indeed, reports as far back as June indicate that Apple has sent requests for information (RFIs) to various display manufacturers, including Samsung Display and LG Display. Those RFIs reportedly called for OLED displays with pixel densities of around 1,700 PPI, suggesting that Apple is exploring multiple options for its cheaper handsets.
JDI’s panels were chosen to use OLED technology with a glass core substrate (GCS), rather than the OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) displays currently used in the Vision Pro. This change in display technology could further help reduce costs.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg in June claimed that a cheaper Vision Pro could require one connected iPhone or Mac to work, which would allow Apple to save money on the processing power and components needed to make it a standalone device. Apple could even eliminate the EyeSight feature and use lighter construction materials.
Regardless, the development of the device is apparently still at an early stage – the DigiTimes page he suggests it could be two to three years before it enters mass production.
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Source: myphone.gr
