Apple Exploring Lower Resolution Displays for Cheaper Vision Headset

Apple is reportedly investigating the use of lower-resolution displays for a budget-friendly version of its Vision Pro spatial computing headset, according to recent reports from DigiTimes and other industry sources.

apple vision pro lenses
Apple has received OLED display samples from Japan Display (JDI) with a pixel density of around 1,500 pixels per inch (PPI), claims The Elec. This is significantly lower than the 3,391 PPI displays used in the current Vision Pro, which launched earlier this year starting from $3,500.

By reducing the pixel density, Apple could substantially cut down on manufacturing costs while still offering a high-quality visual experience. Indeed, reports as far back as June indicate that Apple has been sending requests for information (RFIs) to various display manufacturers, including Samsung Display and LG Display. These RFIs have reportedly asked for OLED displays with pixel densities around 1,700 PPI, suggesting Apple is exploring multiple options for its cheaper headset.

Notably, the sample provided by JDI is said to use glass core substrate (GCS) OLED technology, rather than the OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) displays currently used in the Vision Pro. This shift in display technology could further contribute to a cost reduction.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in June claimed that a cheaper Vision Pro could require a tethered iPhone or Mac to operate, which would allow Apple to save money on processing power and components needed to make it a standalone device. Gurman also claimed that an existing prototype lower-cost headset, codenamed N107, has a narrower field of view compared to Vision Pro. Apple could even potentially eliminate the EyeSight feature and use lighter weight build materials.

Regardless, the development of the device apparently remains at an early stage – DigiTimes suggests it could take two to three years before it enters mass production. That's a lot later than previous predictions that we could see a late 2025 launch. In the meantime, competition among display manufacturers to secure Apple's orders is expected to intensify, with companies from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan all vying for a piece of the potentially lucrative contract.

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

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 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 March 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 ...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

Apple Codename Provides Clue About iOS 19's Rumored New Design

Sunday March 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this...

Top Rated Comments

Kylo83 Avatar
27 weeks ago
It needs the same quality but get rid of the front display and make it lighter, if you ruin the optics that’s the main problem, make the fov better and more immersive
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SanderEvers Avatar
27 weeks ago
Here a preview of the cheaper Apple Vision Pro:

Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser Avatar
27 weeks ago
lower res display for a headset? im sorry but its a no go...a device that close to your eyes needs higher resolution, not lower
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dawn of Individual Merit Avatar
27 weeks ago
Does Apple really think the problem is "oh no, too much advanced technology in this thing" instead of "there is no real use case"?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
27 weeks ago
Lower resolution? I'm ready here, with my avatar for the new Vision LE. Much sharper, and doesn't look like the warped spooky ghost of the Pro



Attachment Image
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
27 weeks ago

Here a preview of the cheaper Apple Vision Pro:


My supply chain insider has leaked a different rendering



Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)