Apple's AR Glasses may still be years off

We reported in July that Apple may be planning to launch iPhone-tethered AR glasses this year, but as we approach the end of the year this rumour appears to have evaporated.

Now we are hearing the opposite from analyst Ross Young from Display Search.

I should clarify that this is AR only. It will use projection optics inside the glasses.

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) October 22, 2020

He is saying Apple’s AR glasses will only hit the market in H1 2022, more than a year away.

According to his multiple sources, the glasses will use projection optics powered by Sony microOLED arrays, with a resolution of 1280×960.

According to an earlier rumour:

• Apple’s AR headset is called Apple Glass.
• Apple Glass will cost $499 and you need to pay extra for prescription lenses.
• There will be no processor in the Apple Glass. Instead, Apple Glass will rely on the iPhone connected to it for all data processing.
• Apple is planning to reveal AR Glass as a typical “one more thing” announcement in Q4 2020 or Q1 2021.
• Apple wants media to be present at the event when they announce this.
• Apple Glass will be available to the public in Q4 2021 or Q1 2022.

Both of these rumours appear to be compatible, and in many ways, Ross is corroborating the extended time scale from the earlier rumour.

Given the complete failure of Magic Leap, who was one of the few who initially marketed to consumers, would our readers welcome Apple’s entry into the consumer market? Let us know below.