Apple is reportedly planning to launch its augmented reality (AR) headset with the help of third-party brands by the middle of next year, said a note obtained by 9to5Mac.

• If a Ming-Chi Kuo report is anything to go by, Apple should launch its first head-mounted AR product in the second quarter of 2020 following the release of the iPhone SE 2 and new iPad Pro models (scheduled for the first quarter).
• Kuo earlier claimed that the headset would be marketed as an iPhone accessory. In other words, the device will wirelessly offload computing, networking and location-related tasks to the iPhone.
• In its latest report, Kuo also talks about the fact that Apple is planning to work with third-party brands to launch the AR headset. Changying Precision, for instance, is expected to be the main chassis supplier.
• There is no clarity on the design of the AR headset so far. It could be like glasses or a gaming AR helmet too. The report, however, confirmed that the device will enter mass production by the fourth quarter of this year itself.