Why Apple s Rumored VR Headset Could Face Challenges
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Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images But some observers say Apple’s 8K displays and other bells and whistles might not make enough of a difference for users to differentiate it from less-expensive options. Antony Vitillo, a VR consultant and owner of the XR blog The Ghost Howls, said in an email interview that he’d tried the HP Reverb VR headset, which already features 2K x 2K resolution per eye. He said the resolution "was already big enough for the screen-door-effect (that is the fact that you can spot the pixels on the screen of a VR headset) [and it was] already almost nonexistent. 8K is not that better than what is already today on the market." Vitillo said that Apple’s headset might make the most sense for professionals, rather than everyday users. "Mac laptops are used by artists and creative people, and if this headset carries with it an enhanced realism and some applications that empower the work of these kinds of people, it can justify its price," he added.
Why Apple’s Rumored VR Headset Could Face Challenges
A $3,000 'Apple tax' might be too much
By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 8, 2021 02:01PM EST Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart & Connected Life Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming GamingKey Takeaways
Apple will reportedly launch a $3,000 virtual reality headset next year. The headset will include powerful processors and advanced screen technology. Experts differ on whether the bells and whistles can justify the headset’s high price. Rebecca Nelson / Getty Images Apple’s rumored upcoming virtual reality (VR) headset will have to deliver extraordinary new capabilities to justify its possible $3,000 price tag, experts say. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the new VR headset could arrive as soon as next year, and include powerful processors and advanced screen technology. It’s going up against a range of current VR headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 that are winning praise from reviewers and cost a tenth the price. But Apple’s technological advantage could be a game-changer for users. "The 8K display and the cameras, especially the pass-through ones, justify such a high price," Varag Gharibjanian, the chief revenue officer of virtual reality software firm Clay AIR, said in an email interview. "The display resolution and frame rate make an actual difference in VR, making the experience more immersive, realistic, and reducing the risk of nausea."Higher Resolution Faster Chips
Details on the rumored Apple device are vague, but enticing. According to Bloomberg, the headset will have faster chips than Apple’s latest M1 Mac processors. Very high-resolution displays also will sweeten the deal. However, these top-end specs mean the headset will generate enough heat that it needs to use a fan, unlike existing products like those by Oculus.Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images But some observers say Apple’s 8K displays and other bells and whistles might not make enough of a difference for users to differentiate it from less-expensive options. Antony Vitillo, a VR consultant and owner of the XR blog The Ghost Howls, said in an email interview that he’d tried the HP Reverb VR headset, which already features 2K x 2K resolution per eye. He said the resolution "was already big enough for the screen-door-effect (that is the fact that you can spot the pixels on the screen of a VR headset) [and it was] already almost nonexistent. 8K is not that better than what is already today on the market." Vitillo said that Apple’s headset might make the most sense for professionals, rather than everyday users. "Mac laptops are used by artists and creative people, and if this headset carries with it an enhanced realism and some applications that empower the work of these kinds of people, it can justify its price," he added.