Apple's VR headset could weigh half as much as competitors, says Kuo

That would be incredibly light in the VR world.

What you need to know

• Ming-Chi Kuo revealed new details about Apple's rumored VR headset.
• The company is attempting to keep the weight under 150 grams.
• That would make the headset twice as light as competitive headsets.

Apple seems to be going all-out to make its VR headset as light as humanly possible.

As reported by 9to5Mac, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a new research note saying that Apple is working on hybrid ultra-short focal length lenses in order to keep the weight of the headset under 150 grams.

As mentioned by Kuo, current virtual reality headsets typically weigh over 300 grams and have a bulky form factor, which is something Apple wants to solve for its own headset. Apple's VR device is expected to adopt Fresnel's hybrid ultra-short focal length lens that have improved field of view, as well as reduced weight and thickness.

The analyst believes that the new Apple-built headset will weigh less than 150 grams, which will be a big advantage when compared to similar devices that currently exist. The device will be equipped with lenses made of plastic instead of glass, which are lighter — but details about the durability of the material are unknown.

The company plans to use Micro-OLED displays on the headset in order to compensate for the reduced brightness that will be caused by the hybrid lenses. It will also have 15 built-in camera lenses and advanced eye tracking.

For video-see-through AR HMDs and VR HMDs, the critical design trend is to achieve a thin and light design with an ultra-short focal length lens/Fresnel lens. The design challenge is also related to the display, optical material, thermal, and production. We believe that solving this complicated optical design is one of the major competitive advantages of video-see-through AR HMDs and in the future.

He also reinforces that Apple will adopt Micro-OLED displays for its headset to compensate for the reduced brightness caused by Fresnel's hybrid lenses. Earlier this month, the analyst revealed that this new device will also have 15 built-in camera lenses.

If you don't feel like waiting for Apple's headset, check out our list of the Best VR Headsets for the Mac in 2021.

Kuo does say that the headset could be delayed due to supply chain issues, but it is currently expected to be released as soon as 2022.