Apple's Vision Pro Shipments Surge in Q3; AR Glasses Anticipated to Expand by 2025
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New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) Meta has maintained its stronghold in the worldwide virtual reality (VR) sector with a 65 percent market share in Q3 2024, as Apple's Vision Pro shipments experienced a twofold increase (on-quarter) due to its international launch in China, Europe, and the APAC region, according to a recent report.
Overall, global VR headset shipments decreased by 4 percent (on-year) and 16 percent (on-quarter) in Q3 2024, marking the third successive quarter of declines in the market, as per Counterpoint’s Global XR (AR/VR) Headset Model Tracker.
This decline was largely attributed to a 50 percent drop in the tethered VR headset segment over the quarter. In contrast, the standalone VR headset segment saw a growth of 14 percent year-on-year.
Counterpoint forecasts that international sales will constitute nearly 90 percent of Apple’s total shipments in the latter half of 2024.
“Apple is reportedly evaluating OLED displays made on conventional glass substrates for its more affordable Vision headset. This display technology is expected to be more economically viable than the Micro OLED displays utilized in the Vision Pro,” the report indicated.
Pico’s shipments fell by 2 percent year-on-year but increased by 6 percent quarter-on-quarter. Meanwhile, Sony experienced a 29 percent year-on-year decline in shipments, although its numbers more than doubled quarter-on-quarter, supported by its PC adapter launch and marketing efforts in North America and Europe.
Despite the underwhelming XR market performance in Q3 2024, this period marked significant advancements in the industry.
The report highlighted the introduction of Meta’s Orion AR glasses and Snap’s Spectacles 24 AR glasses, which illustrated the future possibilities of AR technologies.
Utilizing progress in generative AI technologies, traditional hardware leaders, AR/VR OEMs, and internet companies are pivoting their efforts toward the creation of AR+AI smart glasses.
“While the global VR market is likely to see only incremental growth in the upcoming years, Counterpoint anticipates considerable growth in the global AR smart glasses market,” the report concluded.
