Apple slashes Vision Pro headset estimates over OLED costs

The Vision Pro’s OLED displays are expensive

According to a report released on Monday, the company is encountering obstacles in the manufacturing process of the headset, leading to a decrease in its orders for 2024. The revised orders now stand at 40,000 units, a significant reduction from the initial internal sales target of one million units within the first year.

Once more, on Friday, The Financial Times highlights that design complexities plague the headset. These challenges primarily come from using micro OLED displays, which are costly and present technical difficulties.

Unlike high-end smartphones that feature organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays deposited on glass substrates, micro OLED display materials are instead deposited on silicon wafers, which are typically used in semiconductor manufacturing processes. The existing technology boasts a pixel density of 3,000 pixels per inch (PPI), six times higher than glass OLED displays.

However, the high cost of the silicon wafer, along with the difficulty of manufacturing a product susceptible to damage from dust during the production process, and the absence of any company engaging in mass production, contribute to its price.

According to Eric Chiou, senior research vice-president at TrendForce, the estimated cost for two micro OLED displays, one for each eye, in an Apple Vision Pro is approximately $700. This amount accounts for nearly half of the manufacturing expenses for a product expected to be priced at $3,499 upon its release in the United States early next year.

Based on information from insiders familiar with the manufacturing process of the Vision Pro, Apple’s leading headset, the micro OLED displays for the initial version are being manufactured by Sony. Sony, known for its expertise in using this technology in digital cameras, is employing…