“Apple’s Strategy to Lower Costs of Future Apple Vision Pro Headsets”

Apple is reportedly aiming to lower the prices of its upcoming Apple Vision Pro headsets by incorporating more affordable displays. The tech giant from Cupertino may opt for a cost-effective OLED display to help cut down the manufacturing expenses of the Vision Pro devices. As per a report by The Elec, this new display will be sourced from Japan Display Inc. (JDI), a company in which Apple has invested $100 million. The report highlights that JDI recently introduced a glass-based OLED panel, which could potentially be designed for a mixed reality headset similar to the Apple Vision Pro.

Differences Between the New Display and Apple Vision Pro’s Existing Display

1. Current Display Technology: The Apple Vision Pro, launched earlier this year in the U.S., utilizes a silicon substrate for its displays. This allows for smaller pixels and a significantly higher resolution compared to the glass substrate employed by JDI.
2. Pixel Density Comparison: The new OLED panels from JDI are expected to offer a pixel density of around 1,500 pixels per inch (ppi). In contrast, while Apple hasn’t revealed the exact pixel density of the Vision Pro, reports suggest that it features a remarkable 3,391ppi.
3. Technology Source: JDI’s OLED displays are said to incorporate technologies from Sony, the same company that currently supplies the OLED displays used in the original Apple Vision Pro model.

Why Sony May Not Continue Supplying Displays for Apple Vision Pro

1. Limited Production Capacity: In 2023, rumors indicated that Sony declined to expand its production capacity for the Apple Vision Pro displays, prompting Apple to seek alternative suppliers.
2. Exploring New Suppliers: Besides partnering with JDI, Apple has reportedly approached other display manufacturers to develop OLED panels with an even higher resolution of around 1,700ppi.
3. Cost-Reduction Strategy: Speculation suggests that Apple may be preparing to release the Vision Pro 2 at a significantly lower price. By opting for a more affordable display with a rigid glass substrate and lower resolution, Apple aims to reduce production costs, making the future models more budget-friendly.