Apple's Vision Pro Ships Double in Q3 2024

In an exciting development for the tech world, Apple’s Vision Pro headset has seen its shipments double in the third quarter of 2024, marking a significant rebound following its international debut in key markets such as China, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. According to a recent report by Counterpoint, Apple’s performance comes despite an overall downturn in the global virtual reality (VR) market.

Meta Remains Market Leader

While Meta continues to reign supreme, holding a commanding 65 percent market share in Q3, the broader VR headset shipments experienced a notable decline of 4 percent year-over-year and a steep 16 percent quarter-over-quarter. This downturn represents the market's third consecutive quarterly drop, primarily driven by a staggering 50 percent decrease in the tethered VR headset segment. However, the standalone VR headset segment is seeing a silver lining, with a 14 percent year-over-year growth.

Predictions for Apple's International Sales

Counterpoint predicts that international sales could account for nearly 90 percent of Apple’s total shipments in the latter half of 2024, signaling robust demand for its innovative headset. Furthermore, the tech giant is reportedly experimenting with conventional glass substrates for OLED displays for its more affordable Vision headset, which may offer a cost advantage compared to the Micro OLED displays utilized in the premium Vision Pro.

Challenges in the VR Market

Despite the challenges facing VR companies, especially with Pico experiencing a 2 percent year-over-year shipment dip yet a 6 percent quarter-over-quarter rise, and Sony grappling with a significant 29 percent year-over-year decline but enjoying a resurgence due to the launch of its new PC adapter, the AR market is brimming with potential.

The AR Market is Growing

The report highlights that the arrivals of Meta's Orion AR glasses and Snap’s latest Spectacles signal exciting advancements in augmented reality technologies. The intersection of generative AI and AR is becoming a key focus for traditional tech companies, AR/VR manufacturers, and internet firms alike. As they pivot towards AR+AI smart glasses, this could lead to significant growth within the AR segment in the upcoming years, contrasting the more stagnant projections for the VR market.

Future Outlook

As the industry gears up for a futuristic shift towards intelligent AR wearables, enthusiasts and investors alike will be eagerly watching how these developments unfold. Stay tuned for further updates as the competition in this dynamic landscape heats up!