Apple might haven’t but unveiled its first VR headset, however stories point out it’s already began growth for its second digital actuality system.

For the time being, it appears like Apple is engaged on not less than two VR/AR devices. The Apple VR headset – which can compete with Challenge Cambria and the Pico four Professional with VR and AR capabilities – and the Apple Glasses – AR specs that act extra like Google Glass. Neither system has been formally revealed, however quite a few rumors point out that the headset will launch subsequent yr, with the glasses coming later (both in 2023 or 2024).

However earlier than Apple has even launched one in all these gadgets it’s apparently already trying to make some enhancements, with a report from The Elec (opens in new tab) saying that the California-based tech firm is requesting OLED on Silicon panels from Samsung Show and LG Show which are 3,500ppi. Beforehand Apple was rumored to be solely requesting panels with round 2,800ppi.

OLED on Silicon panels are much like these utilized by the most effective OLED TVs, simply actually small – usually smaller than 1-inch. 

The one merchandise in Apple’s present line-up that may require a small show are its smartwatches just like the Apple Watch 8 – which has a smallest show measurement of 41mm or 1.6-inches. Nevertheless, this tremendous high-end OLED on SIlicon panels from LG or Samsung could be overkill for the wearable. The Apple Watch Eight at present presents 326ppi, which is fairly much like earlier fashions – so a 10 instances improve to three,500ppi for the Apple Watch 9 or Apple Watch 10 would come out of nowhere.

As an alternative, it makes way more sense to see these sorts of panels put to make use of in some type of VR headset or AR glasses the place excessive ppi can significantly increase immersion. Nevertheless, on condition that Samsung and LG aren’t as a result of begin manufacturing on panels of this sort till 2024, if Apple’s headset can keep on with its rumored 2023 launch date then we’ll possible have to attend till its second technology to see these high-res shows in motion.

Evaluation: Who wants all these pixels?

The explanation Apple and different VR headset makers need panels with extremely excessive ppi counts is to fight the display screen door impact. 

When you get actually near a digital display screen – like your pc monitor – you may even see these black traces seem round every pixel, that’s the display screen door impact. For many gadgets it isn’t that noticeable because the display screen isn’t in your face, however in VR the impact is tougher to cover.

By growing the ppi you also needs to improve the pixels per diploma (ppd) rely too, with Meta beforehand saying it hopes to someday obtain 60ppd (the purpose at which the gaps will develop into imperceivable to human eyes). With out this fixed reminder that you are looking at a display screen, the most effective VR video games ought to really feel way more immersive.

At present, the Quest 2 delivers 21ppd, with its 773ppi show, and Challenge Cambria will hopefully do higher with its 1230ppi show – although as a result of we don’t know its focal size it is not possible to find out its ppd proper now. Equally, we will’t predict the ppd of Apple’s 2,800 or 3,500 OLED panels, however they’ll possible get a lot nearer to attaining the 60ppd goal than something at present supplied by Meta.

We’ll have to attend and see what Apple pronounces within the coming years, but when the rumors are true it may have the brand new finest VR headset up its sleeve.