The Apple Vision Pro is by no means a cheap product to get your hands on. With prices well above many’s range, some are wondering why Apple doesn’t switch their provider of micro-OLED panels, Samsung, to a cheaper alternative. The panels make up a huge percentage of the cost of the product, so why isn’t this done? The answer could be that Samsung micro-OLEDs are still years away.
After speaking at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on March 6, Wccftech reported that Sony CEO Choi Joo-sun spoke on the commercialization of micro-OLED tech. While he acknowledges that the potential for the technology is amazing, he also confirmed that Sony likely wouldn’t be able to commercialize until at least 2027, or even 2028. As the market continues to change, and AR and VR are updated, Joo-sun believes this is the right time to jump into the market.
Apple won’t be able to switch to Sony micro-OLEDs for a few years
The length of the availability of Samsung micro-OLEDs could easily explain why Apple isn’t switching away from Sony panels. The company currently provides the OLED for iPhones, and securing its spot as the primary provider for the behemoth that is Apple would be a big win for Samsung. However, the cost it would take to manufacture so many micro-OLEDs would be a consideration Samsung has to take into account. The technical aspects and cost considerations could keep them out altogether.
While they wait on Samsung, Apple is rumored to be speaking to both SeeYa and BOE for an alternative to the Sony micro-OLEDs. They’ve advanced research and development on making lower-cost models of the Vision Pro, which will go a long way in reducing the future prices of the units.
The Apple Vision Pro is an impressive feat of technology, but pricing is a huge downside. Getting your hands on one can cost thousands of dollars. By making the technology more accessible and lowering the price, Apple can reach a much wider audience for the VR and AR headset. However, if they stick with Sony, that price may not have the option to go down anytime soon.
