The Apple AR/VR headset, reportedly named Reality Pro, will be announced on June 5. According to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), the headset will have two 1.41” micro OLEDs, bringing a 4,400 ppi resolution and over 5,000 nits of brightness. In a follow-up tweet, the analyst said the resolution should be “4K per eye”.
Simple math reveals that with a 1.41” diagonal and a circular/square display, the side is 1”, and the resolution is 4,000 x 4,000 pixels per display. These numbers are impressive because the Meta Quest Pro's resolution is 1,800 x 1,920 per eye, while the PlayStation VR 2 has 2,000 x 2,040 pixels per eye.
The brightness number is 5x higher than the standard nits we’ve been reporting on smartphones. However, the human eye perceives light differently, and the number should be calculated exponentially. Similar to f-stops, there is one step from 1,000 nits to 2,000 nits, a second one from 2,000 nits to 4,000 nits, a third from 4,000 to 8,000 nits, etc. This still means the Reality Pro displays will be nearly three times brighter than a smartphone screen at peak brightness.
Apple VR headset sketch (Image: The Information)
The headset is expected to cost around $1,500, which will be a tall order for amateurs and enthusiasts. It will be advertised to professionals, who are likely to use the device to develop a metaverse for future customers who will purchase a non-Pro Reality with more modest specs and a more wallet-friendly price tag.
