Apple is considering developing a more affordable headset than the Vision Pro, possibly using larger, lower-resolution screens. According to the Korean The Elec, Apple is seeking new suppliers for OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) panels.

The site reports a change in Apple’s supply chain management for the OLEDoS panels, which are a key component of the Vision Pro. Currently, Sony supplies the high-resolution microdisplays, but its limited production capacity – up to 900,000 panels annually – and lack of expansion plans have pushed Apple to seek alternatives. Apple is said to have requested information from Samsung Display and LG Display on the production of larger OLEDoS panels, sized 2.0 to 2.1 inches, with a density of about 1,700 pixels per inch (PPI).

These screens will be larger than those of the Vision Pro and will have a lower resolution. The Vision Pro uses Sony’s OLEDoS panels with 1.42 inch screens and a pixel density of nearly 3,400 PPI, using wOLED+CF technology. This advanced screen technology significantly contributes to the high cost of the headset.

At Displayweek 2024, both Samsung and LG showcased developments in OLED microdisplay technology that could interest Apple. Samsung showcased a 1.03-inch RGB (direct emission) OLED microdisplay in collaboration with eMagin, offering higher brightness compared to the wOLED+CF method. LG showcased a 1.3-inch 4K OLED microdisplay with 10,000 nits, using MLA technology to increase brightness by 40%.

Apple’s intention for larger OLEDoS panels with lower resolution than those used in the Vision Pro suggests that they may be intended for a new, lower-cost mixed reality headset. Apple is rumored to have been working on such a device for more than a year, and the latest information indicates it may be designed to connect with an iPhone or Mac, eliminating the need for an expensive processor.

The low-cost Apple Vision headset may hit the market as early as the end of next year.