The current Apple Vision Pro features two 4K microLED panels that are only sourced from Sony, a manufacturer that was earlier reported to cap its annual display production at just a million units for the AR headset. With this massive hurdle, not only will Apple not be able to produce as many units as it wants, but having a single supplier also means that the company will have less room for negotiating display component prices. Fortunately, a new report states that two Chinese suppliers are currently being evaluated for their microLED technology, which can potentially bring the cost down, enabling a cheaper model to be mass produced.

BOE and SeeYA are under inspection for their microLED panels; approval will result in a cheaper Apple Vision Pro model

At this time, the $3,499 asking price of the Apple Vision Pro is due to the $700 cost of the two 4K microLED panels sourced from Sony. According to The Information, Apple has intentions to add more display suppliers to bring down the cost, with the report stating that BOE and SeeYA are currently being evaluated for future Apple Vision Pro models and a cheaper headset that is internally called N109, which is in its early development stages.

9to5Mac reports that there may be two devices added to the AR headset line, divided by the ‘Pro’ moniker. Before the Apple Vision Pro was even announced at WWDC, the technology giant had plans for a second model, and it will reportedly arrive with a few design changes, plus an affordable option that will obviously ship with watered-down features. Perhaps the only way for Apple to grow the AR headset market is through a cost-effective solution, but as the current situation stands, consumers may not see it before 2025.

Growing the AR headset business with the Apple Vision Pro’s $3,499 price was always going to be an uphill battle, so it is in Apple’s best interest to secure more suppliers to bring down component costs, or else it will be stuck in a perpetual limbo of selling this product to the affluent consumer.

 

TrendForce 2023 Micro LED Market Trend and Technology Cost Analysis
Release Date: 31 May / 30 November 2023
Language: Traditional Chinese / English
Format: PDF
Page: 160 / Year

Micro LED: Metaverse X Technological Evolution X Application Innovation
Time：September 5th, 2023
Venue：Room 401, National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Price：USD 280