Emphasizing Curved Design... First-Ever 'Flexible Motherboard' Developed In-House
Cameras and Sensors Fully Integrated Inside
High Manufacturing Difficulty... Price Around 4 Million Won
Apple's virtual reality (VR) headset has been reported by foreign media to have the "most unique design in history," drawing significant attention. It is said that the new manufacturing process was applied to match the uniquely demanding design, causing disruptions even in mass production.
The US IT media outlet The Information reported on the 31st of last month (local time) that "Apple's mixed reality headset has brought unprecedented challenges to mass production due to its unique design."
Apple is expected to unveil its first-ever VR hardware in the company's history at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on the 5th. The model name is known to be "Reality Pro."
The product's design has not yet been revealed. However, several foreign media outlets covering Apple-related rumors recently reported that it was "inspired by ski goggles."
The Information described the headset's form as "an unconstrained curved design, thinness, and ultra-lightweight," explaining that "a smooth aluminum frame, slightly thicker than the iPhone, wraps around the edges, and the glass part is curved."
Apple's insistence on the curved design significantly increased manufacturing difficulty. According to the media, Apple developed the world's first "curved motherboard" and installed it inside the headset. Additionally, to reduce weight while enhancing durability, expensive carbon fiber materials were adopted.
Moreover, the design team hid more than 12 cameras and sensors inside the headset to avoid spoiling its aesthetics. This caused a new problem: due to the shock-sensitive materials, the screen became more fragile than an iPhone screen. Unlike smartphone screens, if the headset screen is damaged, it poses a risk of injuring the wearer's eyes.
The massive research and development (R&D) expenditure to resolve these safety issues and stabilize manufacturing difficulty is a major reason for the skyrocketing price of Apple's headset. The media reported that Apple's headset took much longer for assembly and testing compared to other Apple devices.
Several foreign media outlets expect the retail price of Apple's headset to reach $3,000 (approximately 4.2 million KRW). This is much more expensive than Meta's next-generation "Meta Quest 3" headset, priced at $499 (approximately 660,000 KRW), which was unveiled ahead of Apple's headset release.
The US economic media outlet Bloomberg also evaluated that "Meta introduced a cheaper alternative to the market before Apple's headset was even revealed."
It is also reported that Apple considers this year as an opportunity to "introduce" its headset to consumers. The Information stated, "Apple is expected to ship fewer than 500,000 units of the headset this year," adding, "However, if the headset follows a growth trajectory like AirPods, demand could double every year."
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