Apple's VR headset could be delayed until early 2023

A forecast made by noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared in a note to investors predicts that mass production of the Apple VR headset may not begin until the last quarter of 2022, which could mean that they are not widely available until early 2023.

Kuo suggests that the reason for the delay is that Apple wants to have "complete software, ecosystem, and services" for the device. Kuo implies that the combination of Apple's ambition to make a comfortable headset with great software and the design being more complicated than other Apple products is slowing the production.

Previously, Kuo had forecast that the headset would launch in the second quarter of 2022. Kuo's note states that Apple "will target diversified applications for head-mounted display devices, rather than just gaming applications".

It has been predicted that the VR headset may look similar to the Oculus Quest but that Apple will optimize the design for a comfortable fit. Rumors point to two micro-OLED 8k displays alongside eye and head movement tracking. It is believed that the gadget will need to be wirelessly tethered to an Apple device to access all features.

Many patents have already been approved for Apple's VR headset. The latest two appear to be related to a design that ensures the device sits comfortably on the user's face and even auto-adjusts if the gadget slips while in use.

Buy the Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset on Amazon