Global VR Headset Shipments to Hit 9.6 Million in 2024 as Meta Leads
Summary
Global shipments of VR and mixed reality (MR) headsets are expected to hit approximately 9.6 million units in 2024, according to a report by market analyst TrendForce. Meta retains its position as the global leader in VR and MR device shipments with a 73% market share in 2024, which TrendForce puts down to the popularity of the relatively affordable Quest 3S—priced at just US$299. But the analyst said despite its efforts to integrate the PS VR2 with PC, using adapters to broaden the content available to users, limited functionality and application support have held back its sales. The analyst thinks that the high price and lack of applications may have held back Apple’s Vision Pro sales compared to previous product launches, though the headset will likely influence the future direction of the entire market. TrendForce says its launch has shifted the market "beyond its traditional focus on consumer-oriented entertainment toward a broader role as multi-functional productivity tools.” The analyst also points to how the introduction of OLEDoS display technology in the Vision Pro set a “new benchmark for product specifications and visual quality in the sector.” In addition, TrendForce also highlighted how the Vision Pro includes capabilities such as document editing and virtual meetings, and said how they expect these productivity-focused tools to “encourage other brands “to reevaluate the functional attributes of their own VR/MR devices, expanding their role in both consumer and enterprise markets.” Looking forward, it expects Apple to adopt a two-pronged strategy for its VR headsets, releasing both a budget headset and a higher-end device as early as 2026.