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Apple’s in-development mixed-reality headset might see its launch pushed again from early 2023 to later within the yr, signifies analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, with software program points inflicting an prolonged delay.
Apple’s long-rumored and extremely anticipated first headset launch was regarded as on the horizon, with mass manufacturing of the augmented actuality and digital actuality headwear slated to start in early 2023. Nonetheless, whereas {hardware}’s getting ready for manufacturing, one other aspect might decelerate its precise launch.
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My newest survey signifies that the mass cargo schedule of Apple’s MR headset might delay to 2H23 due to software-related points (vs. the earlier estimate of 2Q23).— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) December 4, 2022
Based on TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple AR and VR headset might delay to the second half of 2023 due to “software-related points.” Kuo would not say what these points could possibly be, however it might relate to its working system, generally known as realityOS or xrOS.
The delay appears to solely affect the mass cargo of completed merchandise, moderately than manufacturing itself. Kuo reckons the cargo schedule for elements will nonetheless be within the first half of 2023, presumably the second quarter.
Nonetheless, the delay in shipments could possibly be a ache for suppliers, with the headset regarded as the “subsequent essential progress driver for the optical trade.” Suppliers together with Largan, Genius, Cowell, Primax, and others regarded as within the headset provide chain could also be harm by the “near-term market sentiment” over the delay.
Regardless of the late cargo, Kuo would not know if there will likely be a delayed media occasion to match the delayed headset shipments, which might put such an occasion later than the previously-estimated January. Kuo warns that if the timeframe between the occasion and shipments of merchandise is just too lengthy, “it is detrimental to promotion and gross sales.”
As to what number of headsets Apple might produce, Kuo gives that the forecast will “seemingly be lower than 500k models” for 2023, down from the market consensus of 800,000 to 1.2 million models.