Source: news.google.com
While Apple has yet to introduce its first AR/VR headset to the world, there are already rumors about its second-generation headset. If they’re true, Apple’s follow-up mixed reality device could have an amazing display that will put the Quest 2 and PSVR 2 to shame.
It has long been rumored that Apple has been pursuing microOLED displays for its AR/VR headsets. We reported as much back in February, with Apple hoping to use these panels in conjunction with an M1 chip to create a headset that’s slimmer and more power efficient than its rivals.
Now Patently Apple reports (opens in a new tab) indicate that it intends to continue with this type of screens for its second headphones, although it will make some updates. On a smaller note, Apple will apparently switch from using Sony-made panels to using LG-made panels when its second handset becomes available. LG makes our favorite TVs right now, the LG C2 and LG G2, so we’re sure they’ll bring their expertise in making these screens to the table when creating the screens for Apple’s headphones.
But LG will not only bring its expertise, it will also use the new screen technology developed by AP Systems. Apple requested a 3,000ppi thin metal skin sample from AP Systems in 2021 (via The Elec (opens in a new tab)) and was apparently impressed with the results. Additionally, AP Systems is currently working on a project with the South Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy to create 4000ppi displays for VR/AR devices by 2024.
If it can achieve this goal, we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple’s second-generation AR/VR headset incorporates this new technology into its design. Doing so would blow Apple’s rival Meta out of the water, Quest 2 only has 773ppi and Project Cambria is rumored to have 1230ppi.
Having said all that, you’ll definitely want to take these rumors with a grain of salt.
For one thing, Apple’s first headphones have yet to be announced, so its second-generation device is still several years away. While we wouldn’t be surprised if the design process was already underway for the tracking headset, we’d be surprised if anything was finalized that far in advance.
On this same note, there’s a chance that Apple might not even introduce a first-gen headset, deciding to scrap the device entirely and leave the AR/VR space.
Additionally, Apple’s first headphones have reportedly faced numerous development hurdles, causing their design to change considerably from Apple’s original vision. Similarly, the Apple development team might face similar problems the second time. Apple’s suppliers (AP Systems and LG) also have a role to play in the development of the new screens; If your work hits any hiccups, then there won’t be any 4,000ppi panel for Apple to use, even if it wants to.
Analysis: Will Apple’s Headphones Screen Be Too Good?
It’s all very well to say that Apple’s rumored headphones will have a higher pixel density, but why should we care?
As we wrote earlier when discussing the Quest 2’s pixel density, all VR headset screens can suffer from something called a screen door effect. Because screens are just a repeating array of LEDs, when you’re close to them, it’s possible to see dark lines running across the screen caused by the spacing between pixels.
By design, VR puts a screen right in front of your face, so the screen door effect is much more noticeable. At the same time, it can also break immersion, as it acts as a constant reminder that you are, in fact, in a virtual world.
That’s where the higher pixel densities come into play. If you can fit more LEDs into a display area, the pixel spacing will shrink until it’s unnoticeable.
In addition to this, higher pixel density screens will allow Apple to create higher resolutions and more impressive images on smaller screens, helping to reduce the weight of its headphones without sacrificing image performance.
However, Apple may already be taking things too far.
Higher pixels per inch will help Apple achieve another goal, pixels per degree: that’s the number of pixels per degree of vision. Our eyes can’t distinguish anything above 60ppd, so that’s the goal Meta and Apple are trying to achieve with their headphones.
The Quest 2 currently sits at 21ppd, and our very rough estimates for Project Cambria suggest it will hit 33. Using the same assumptions we used to calculate Cambria’s pixels per density (where the focal length and screen size of the headset are identical to the Quest 2), so Apple will be looking at around 80ppd for a 3000ppi handset and over 100ppd for a 4000ppi handset.
This is an incredibly rough estimate, given that Apple’s device is expected to be much slimmer than the Quest 2, we can already assume it will have a different focal length, but it does give an indication of how much more visually impressive Apple devices could be. . .
We’ll have to wait for Apple to make an official announcement before we know how the rumors and our estimates stack up. But when Apple finally introduces its headphones, we might be in for a treat.
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