The global VR headset market grew by 241.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest market intelligence data. Virtual reality (VR) headset shipments are expected to hit 13.9M units for the year as a whole.
But next year is expected to be the crucial one for the VR and augmented reality (AR) sector, as Apple enters the market …
IDC says that Facebook parent company Meta current dominates the VR market, but its current business model isn’t sustainable.
The firm says that moving into the business sector, and more sophisticated consumer headsets, may be the answer.
But Apple is the company everyone will be watching next year, as it launches a mixed-reality headset (VR and AR combined).
One thing Apple will change for sure is the average selling price (ASP). This is expected to peak sharply as the Cupertino company enters the market, before gradually falling back to more affordable levels over the following years.
Apple is expected to announce its VR headset early next year, possibly as early as January.
This is expected to be followed by a more affordable model, with AR-focused Apple Glasses believed to be the iPhone maker’s longer-term goal.