Virtual Reality market didn't owe its sustainability to Meta Quest alone, yet glasses-based VR technology may soon dominate the sector.
In the ever-evolving world of technology, the future of wearable devices is taking shape, with a focus on Augmented Reality (AR) glasses and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets. Here's a roundup of the latest developments and predictions in this exciting field.
The last quarter of 2024 saw a 5% decline in headset shipments, indicating a potential slowdown in the VR market. This trend seems to be continuing, with global VR headset shipments decreasing by 12% year-over-year. The primary reasons for this slump are a lack of engaging content and discomfort issues associated with extended use.
However, the AR glasses market presents a more promising outlook. Counterpoint predicts that this market will grow by 30% through 2026, driven by advancements in technology and increasing consumer interest. This growth is further reflected in the competitive "AI + AR" ecosystem development on the Chinese market, with companies like Meta, Xiaomi, and Apple announcing plans to release at least six new AR glasses models in 2025.
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is leading the charge, planning to release "half a dozen" new AR glasses models next year. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, is optimistic about the potential of these devices, expressing belief that the company could sell billions of AI-enabled AR glasses. However, the Ray-Ban Meta AR glasses, while capable of shooting hands-free photos and videos, have been criticised for their lack of focus and zoom control, and the AI chatbot's inability to accurately identify objects.
Apple, too, is rumoured to have a smart spectacles project in development, but the progress is not yet clear. Interestingly, reports suggest that Apple has abandoned plans for tethered AR glasses due to the issue of packing a powerful computer into a small AR-capable wearable device.
Sony maintained a 9% market share with the help of its PlayStation VR2 and PCVR integration. On the other hand, Samsung and Google are developing Project Moohan, an AR headset with capabilities similar to the $3,500 Vision Pro.
Meta's Orion is the closest example of a light and powerful AR device, but it requires an additional data puck to function. Meanwhile, the CES 2025 showcased multiple wearable devices with AR visuals, but none were considered usable products due to a lack of solid use cases and capabilities beyond a typical smartphone.
Lastly, the Meta Quest 3s, a $300 VR headset by Meta, increased the company's VR market share. Despite this, the VR market is not expected to grow significantly in the next two years due to the ongoing challenges of content and discomfort issues.
As we move forward, it's clear that the AR glasses market holds immense potential for growth, while the VR market faces challenges that need to be addressed for sustainable growth. The coming years will be an exciting time for the wearable technology industry, as companies continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible.
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