A series of clear images purporting to show a pair of ribbon cables may be the first look at real components for Apple’s long-rumored and highly anticipated VR headset.
A quartet of photographs posted on Twitter by a leaker on Monday were published without comment, except for an emoji wearing sunglasses. If authentic, the four images depict what appear to be ribbon cables from the Apple VR headset.
The cables provide few hints as to how the headset would be built, but the shape of the component strongly suggests it is headset-related. The main cable is shaped like the top half of a pair of glasses, with two large arched sections connected by a smaller bit in the middle.
One cable has a connector that can be inserted into an element, while the other has a socket that can be easily connected to other parts. Each end also appears to have smaller connectors, and strategically placed holes and loops are likely used to secure the ribbon within the headset enclosure.
A second straight cable, with three main sections, is also depicted. A row of pins on a strip is visible at one end, allowing for easy connection to other components.
Because the leaker is using a protected account, the tweet cannot be embedded. The leaker, on the other hand, is well-known and has a good track record with upcoming Apple products.
Apple is expected to release its VR headset in 2023, with WWDC this summer as the most likely venue.
It is thought to be constructed in a similar manner to the Meta Quest 2, namely as a “ski goggle” construction, but with significantly higher specifications. This includes automatically adjusting lenses to provide the user with optimal in-experience vision of the high-quality OLED screens.
The headset could also function without the need for a host device. According to one February rumor, it could be set up without the need for an iPhone, communicating with iCloud directly and being able to download content without the assistance of an iPhone, for example.
All of this could come at a significant cost to consumers, with estimates ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.