VR/MR headset shipments will reach almost 10 million in 2024, but Apple Vision Pro has only 5% of the market

By the end of 2024, global shipments of virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) headsets will reach 9.6 million units, which corresponds to an 8.8% year-on-year growth. Three trends are shaping the global VR/MR ecosystem: the dominance of low-cost devices, the shift from entertainment to professional features, and the rise of OLEDoS technology in the high-end segment. In the coming years, these trends will continue to influence the industry, according to TrendForce analysts.

Image source: apple.com

Meta✴ remains the world leader in the supply of VR/MR devices, whose share will reach 73% by the end of 2024. Year on year, the company increased shipments by 11%, mainly due to the inexpensive Quest 3S for $299. To attract consumer interest, Meta✴ adopted a strategy that prioritized affordable prices, and the project to develop the expensive Quest Pro 2 was postponed.

The second largest market share of 9% belongs to Sony with its PS VR2. The Japanese manufacturer released an adapter for connecting a headset to a PC, but the limited capabilities of the device and a limited set of software did not help it expand into the market at full strength – as a result, deliveries decreased by 25% year on year. Apple Vision Pro went on sale in 2024 and quickly captured 5% of the VR/MR market, but compared to other Apple products, sales figures were modest due to the high cost of the headset and limited software.

Image source: trendforce.com

Vision Pro’s sales performance and Meta✴ strategy showed that today the key factor for consumers is an attractive price; More than 80% of devices on the VR/MR market are equipped with LCD displays. Apple’s headset has shifted the industry from traditional entertainment to professional, with Vision Pro offering document editing, virtual meetings, and medical and education applications. This will help other manufacturers reconsider the features of their devices and expand their role in the consumer and corporate markets.

Vision Pro managed to set a new standard in the field of VR/MR; This is the first device to feature an OLEDoS display – it showed what product specifications and picture quality could be. Apple’s experience in the field of smartphones, tablets and laptops gives reason to consider the company a flagship in the VR/MR market. Apple is expected to introduce two new devices in 2026 – these will be a direct successor to the first and a mass model. The older headset will likely have a resolution above 3000 dpi, but the screen supplier will not be Sony, but a contractor with more modest price tags, possibly Chinese. The younger one will presumably be equipped with an OLED display on a glass substrate or even an LCD panel with LTPO, which will help balance technical characteristics and cost. The attempt to reach the premium and mass segments of the market will strengthen Apple’s influence in the field of VR/MR.