Apple is currently working on launching its first mixed reality headset next year. A new report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is dampening hopes that it could be as early as 2023. According to Kuo, shipping of the main components is planned for Q1 2023, but deliveries to customers will be postponed from Q2 to the second half of the year. Kuo cites “software-related problems” as the reason.
In addition, forecasts for shipments have been reduced from 800,000 to 1,200,000 to just 500,000, which is almost half of the original target. Apple currently anticipates an announcement event in January 2023. The question is what the Californians will do next given the huge gap between the reveal and the launch of the marketing campaign. The same gap could thus also occur in sales.
The delayed launch could also impact suppliers, Kuo added. Apple partners Largan, Cowell and Primax are responsible for various camera components such as lenses. Any delay could also affect suppliers’ financial planning.
