Enlarge / An early augmented reality demo by Apple, using a smartphone instead of a headset. (credit: Apple )

Tech industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has offered the most specific prediction about a release date for an Apple augmented reality/virtual reality headset yet: January 2023.

Kuo has often made accurate, informed predictions about Apple's plans in the past, based partly on information from sources in the company's supply chain. On Thursday, he published a lengthy analysis of the VR headset industry and predicted that Apple's device will "likely" arrive in January.

Kuo called the headset "the most complicated product Apple has ever designed," noting that many current Apple suppliers are involved in the supply chain for the product. He also supported other recent leaks and speculation that the upcoming headset will not be exclusively or primarily focused on augmented reality (which places virtual options in real-world space) rather than virtual reality (which immerses the wearer in an entirely virtual space).