The design for the Apple Reality Pro AR/VR headset is based on patents, news articles, and other sources.

June 1, 2023 | 11:45:11

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At WWDC on Monday, Apple will undoubtedly introduce the long-rumored Reality Pro, the company’s first new product line in years. Numerous rumors about the device have surfaced, mostly focusing on its software capabilities and eye-watering $3,000 price tag, but very little has been said about its actual design. We have gathered all rumors and patents in advance of the event and created a realistic forecast of what to anticipate on Monday.

The Information published a thorough report more than two years ago that described the layout of a late-stage prototype and other expected specifications. With the publication of this report, they made public the infamous sketch, which was a creative interpretation of a headset prototype based on images. Since I was sick of seeing this sketch in every article, I chose to base my 3D render on it. By this point, I’m sure we are all sick of seeing this sketch. At WWDC on Monday, Apple will undoubtedly introduce the long-rumored Reality Pro, the company’s first new product line in years. Numerous rumors about the device have surfaced, describing its software capabilities and eye-watering $3,000 price tag. However, unlike most Apple rumors, none of these have come to fruition.

This image served us well at the time, but over the past few months, we have heard several rumors that paint a clearer picture of what we anticipate.

Although many sources have compared the design to ski goggles, we have decided to lean into that and alter the frame’s shape to resemble a typical pair of ski goggles. We are still anticipating an aluminum frame with a curved glass front. We are left with a thin, svelte device that remarkably resembles an Apple Watch, AirPods Max, and even, in the words of our resident witty Zac Hall, “an iPhone 6 after a couple of hours of use.” In addition to this new overall shape, we are hearing more and more about two physical buttons: a button on the left and a digital crown-like input on the right. To switch between different realities, use the Digital Crown, also known as the “Reality Dial.”

A pair of sensors and cameras should also be concealed in the frame and behind the front glass panel, which some people believe has a screen on the front to display the user’s expression. Some people have the right to assume that this is just an inside joke between engineers and not a genuine feature of the gadget.

The “Apple Watch” style strap does appear to be on the way, but there are some definite variations in the renders this time. One of the reasons is that the strap can only be removed from the right side; the left side is one piece.

The headset will not have a battery, which was not the original plan; instead, a battery pack will need to be worn at all times and connected to the headset. On the right side, there is a clasp that serves as both the charger and clasp. This was very similar to how we imagined the inductive Apple Watch charger to look.

Last but not least, the displays are allegedly going to change the game. They would be micro OLED, 1.4 inches across, 4K per eye, and brighter than 5000 nits, according to Ross Young’s report from yesterday. It’s crucial to keep in mind that even though the displays will need to be used to expose this eye to light, the perceived brightness will be significantly lower due to polarization in the lens stack, typically between 80% and 90%

There are just a few more days until WWDC 2023, and I could not be more excited to see what Apple has been working on for all these years.

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference keynote address will take place on Monday, June 5, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. Keep it locked to 9to5Mac for comprehensive coverage leading up to the event. We’ll also be onsite for WWDC 2023 all week.

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