According to TrendForce, Apple's (AAPL, Financial) Vision Pro is rapidly becoming a major force in the virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) markets, now ranking as the third-largest player globally. Meta Platforms (META) leads the market, followed by Sony (SONY) and Apple. The global shipment of VR/MR headsets is projected to reach approximately 9.6 million units in 2024, marking an 8.8% increase.
Meta is expected to maintain a 73% market share in 2024, driven by the affordable Quest 3S priced at $299, with shipments up 11% year-on-year. Sony's PS VR2 holds a 9% market share, but limited features have led to a 25% decline in shipments. Apple's Vision Pro captures a 5% market share, with its high price and limited apps impacting sales.
The Vision Pro's launch signifies a shift from entertainment to multifunctional tools, encouraging other brands to reevaluate their VR/MR offerings. Apple plans to introduce next-gen headsets by 2026, targeting both high-end and mainstream markets.
