Apple's AR/VR Headset Expected to Enter Mass Production in October Ahead of Late 2023 Launch

Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset will enter mass production in October and launch by December, according to investment firm Morgan Stanley. Apple is still expected to unveil the headset at WWDC next week, and provide developers with tools to create apps for the device, which is expected to have its own App Store.

apple ar concept kane purple

Apple headset concept by designer Marcus Kane

"While we expect Apple's AR/VR headset to be unveiled next week, our supply chain checks suggest mass production won't start until October '23, with general availability most likely ahead of the December holidays," said Erik Woodring, an Apple analyst at Morgan Stanley, in a research note obtained by MacRumors.

Apple's supply chain is preparing to assemble only 300,000 to 500,000 headsets in 2023, according to Woodring. As widely rumored, he believes the headset will have a starting price of around $3,000, and he expects gross margins to be "close to breakeven at first," suggesting that Apple will initially make minimal profits on the device.

Morgan Stanley also reiterated that Apple plans to announce a new MacBook Air at WWDC, but it's unclear if this information is independently sourced or simply corroborating other rumors. Apple's keynote begins on Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
iPad Pro iPadOS

iPadOS 19 Will Be 'More Like macOS' in Three Ways

Sunday April 13, 2025 6:43 am PDT by
A common complaint about the iPad Pro is that the iPadOS software platform fails to fully take advantage of the device's powerful hardware. That could soon change. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that iPadOS 19 will be "more like macOS." Gurman said that iPadOS 19 will be "more like a Mac" in three ways:Improved productivity Improved multitasking Improved app window management...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Foldable iPhone Resolutions Leak With Under-Screen Camera Tipped

Monday April 14, 2025 3:12 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone (or "iPhone Fold") will feature two screens as part of its book-style design, and a Chinese leaker claims to know the resolutions for both of them. According to the Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station, the inner display, which is approximately 7.76 inches, will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution and feature "under-screen camera technology." Meanwhile, the...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

Waiting for the Perfect MacBook Pro? 2026 Might Be the Year

Thursday April 10, 2025 4:19 am PDT by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: New iOS 19, iPhone 17, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 Leaks

Friday April 11, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we catch up on the latest iOS 19 and watchOS 12 rumors, upcoming devices, and more. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Detailed new renders from leaker Jon Prosser claim to provide the best look yet at the complete redesign rumored to arrive in iOS 19, showing more rounded elements, lighting effects, translucency, and...
Apple Vision Pro with battery Feature Blue Magenta

Vision Pro 2 Rumored to Have Two Key Advantages Over Current Model

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:15 am PDT by
Apple is working on a new version of the Vision Pro with two key advantages over the current model, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, in his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is developing a new headset that is both lighter and less expensive than the current Vision Pro, which starts at $3,499 in the U.S. and weighs up to 1.5 pounds. Gurman said Apple is also...
top stories 2025 04 12

Top Stories: iOS 19 and iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, Siri Revamp Turmoil, and More

Saturday April 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
It was a big week for leaks and rumors in the Apple world, with fresh claims about iOS 19, the iPhone 17 Pro, and even the 20th anniversary iPhone coming a couple of years from now. Sources also spilled the tea on the inner turmoil at Apple around the Apple Intelligence-driven Siri revamp that has seen significant delays, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iOS ...
iPhone 16e Feature

iPhones, Macs, and Other Apple Devices Exempted From Trump Tariffs

Saturday April 12, 2025 9:44 am PDT by
Apple and other electronics manufacturers have received a break from Trump's reciprocal tariffs, with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency sharing a long list of products excluded from the levies last night. iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices will not be subject to the 125 percent tariffs that have been put in place on imported Chinese goods, nor will Apple...

Top Rated Comments

jmovie Avatar
25 months ago
I miss the days when the MacRumors comments section was a place of actual thought and conversation. Now it's just a Twitter'ish hole where people fling flippant, sardonic dead-end comments. It's too easy to type "flop"; instead, give us a thoughtful argument as to the headwinds you think a new product might face. I am over the moon for this upcoming launch and I'd make my case, but it's not clear there's many left here who care... ?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
25 months ago
I forecast the Phoenix (rising) iMac "bigger" will be branded PRO and "starting at only..." $3499, north of $4K nicely configured. Look back to the former iMac Pro as your guide.

As to Goggles, bring 'em on. Finally, FINALLY: an entirely NEW product creation from Apple this is not a slightly bigger or slightly faster rehash of the existing mix. I look forward to seeing whatever it can do and whatever it actually costs. I hope it dazzles... but, unlike seemingly many, reserve all judgement until the vapor is actually revealed so we can see what it actually is, what it can actually do, what it actually costs, etc.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
newyorksole Avatar
25 months ago

I miss the days when the MacRumors comments section was a place of actual thought and conversation. Now it's just a Twitter'ish hole where people fling flippant, sardonic dead-end comments. It's too easy to type "flop"; instead, give us a thoughtful argument as to the headwinds you think a new product might face. I am over the moon for this upcoming launch and I'd make my case, but it's not clear there's many left here who care... ?
I agree with ya. I am also very excited and can’t stand all of the doom and gloom comments on literally every article, no matter what it is.

it’ll be nice to discuss it all on Monday too when it’s revealed. Apple knows what they’re doing here.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
25 months ago

I agree with ya. I am also very excited and can’t stand all of the doom and gloom comments on literally every article, no matter what it is.

it’ll be nice to discuss it all on Monday too when it’s revealed. Apple knows what they’re doing here.
This is how it is every time. I always refer to this as the cycle of Apple criticism.

1) Apple would never do X.

2) Okay, Apple is doing X, but people will never buy it.

3) All the people buying X are sheep.

4) I bought X. But it’s flawed!

5) Apple was great when it did X, but will fail at the next thing they’re doing.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Longplays Avatar
25 months ago
For $3k I rather get a replacement for the 2020 iMac 27". It's 34 months old by WWDC 2023.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
25 months ago
Just a few days before we see all the magic for the first time. Anyone betting against Apple should prepare to lose their money.... AGAIN!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)