According to a new leak, Apple's mixed reality VR headset will be available as early as next year and will cost $1,000.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors) has provided a complete roadmap forecast for Apple's VR and AR devices, stating that the mixed reality headset will be available in "mid-2022. After that, he said AR-specific Apple Glasses will be available in 2025, followed by AR contact lenses between 2030 and 2040.

We already knew that Apple's mixed reality VR headset would not be available until next year at the earliest. According to earlier reports, it will be designed as a precursor to Apple Glasses and will combine VR and AR capabilities.

Kuo's note reiterates this fact, pointing out that future releases, including glasses and contact lenses, will be pure augmented reality devices. He also claims that a mixed reality headset currently weighs 200-300 grams (7-10.5 ounces), but that Apple aims to bring that weight down to 100-200 grams (3.5-7 ounces).

The big surprise from Kuo's report is that Apple's VR/mixed reality headset may be cheaper than we expected.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple's VR headset will not be designed to appeal to the masses. Instead, it will be a premium device aimed at developers working on mixed reality apps, some of which could be ported to Apple Glasses.

As befits a device aimed at developers, the headset was expected to be very expensive.

However, if Kuo's prediction is correct, the Apple VR will be affordable for many consumers. Especially if you don't have an older device to trade in, $1,000 is not cheap, but certainly not the most expensive VR headset. For example, the HTC Vive Pro Full Kit is still $1,199.

Then again, this is a full-featured gaming VR headset, not a standalone product like the Apple VR is said to be; $1,000 is expensive compared to the $299 Oculus Quest 2, for example.

Still, if it is a good product, there is no reason to think that is a barrier to success.

As for Apple Glasses, past rumors have suggested that we could see AR specifications by 2023. Unfortunately, Kuo does not believe that will be the case, as he does not believe Apple has a prototype yet. Since Mr. Kuo is well-known for his track record in forecasting Apple, it is hard to believe that he would say this without conviction.

That is unfortunate, but AR is especially difficult to get right when trying to avoid bulky headsets. All of the essential computing components are heavy, and that weight is even more pronounced when placed on the face. For Apple, creating lightweight glasses with sufficient processing power and battery life has always been a challenge.

Then again, cramming everything into a pair of glasses is no big deal compared to cramming it into something as tiny as a contact lens. Compared to that, making a solid pair of AR glasses would be a piece of cake.