Samsung's upcoming Android XR headset is expected to launch in South Korea on October 13, with a price range of $1800 to $3000, and a global rollout planned afterward. The headset features high-resolution Sony micro-OLED displays and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, with a limited production of around 100,000 units annually. Details about the design and accessories remain sparse, but the device is part of Samsung's 2025 product plans.
Apple is reportedly working on an entry-level version of its Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset, aiming to reduce the cost from $3,500 to as low as $1,500 by 2025 or 2026. The company is focusing on cutting the price of the headset's two 4K micro-OLED displays, which currently make up a significant portion of the production cost. Apple is also considering adding new suppliers to its display lineup to reduce production bottlenecks and costs. Additionally, there are discussions about downgrading some of the Vision Pro's tech and functionality to further reduce costs, with the final device likely to be named Apple Vision or Apple Vision One.
Research firm Omdia estimates that the components for Apple's Vision Pro headset cost around $1,542, with the micro-OLED displays being the most expensive at $456, accounting for over a third of the total cost. However, this bill of materials does not include manufacturing, shipping, marketing, or research and development costs, so it's inaccurate to assume Apple makes nearly $2,000 in profit on each $3,499 headset. Analysts anticipate some of these costs to decrease over time, but the actual profit margin for Apple remains unknown.
Apple is exploring the possibility of adding BOE and SeeYa as suppliers for the Micro-OLED displays used in its Vision Pro mixed reality headset, in an effort to increase production output and reduce the build cost. Currently, Sony is the sole supplier, capable of producing fewer than one million displays annually. The evaluation process involves testing the displays against Apple's quality-control standards and specifications. The move could also potentially benefit the development of a cheaper version of the headset.
