AR and VR Headset Shipments Poised for Strong Rebound in 2024, IDC Reports

Augmented and Virtual Reality Headset shipments are forecasted to surge by 44.2 percent, reaching 9.7 million units in 2024, according to IDC. This resurgence is attributed to the introduction of new headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro, coupled with improving macroeconomic conditions worldwide.
Apple’s launch of the Vision Pro grabbed a lot of headlines and has raised awareness for AR and VR and although it’s priced out of reach for most, it is helping raise the bar for competitors.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers at IDC, noted the transition of several companies, including Meta, towards Mixed Reality, laying the groundwork for immersive AR experiences in the future.

IDC projects virtual reality headsets are expected to reach 24.7 million units by the end of 2028, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.2 percent. This growth is driven by expanding use cases beyond core gaming, including applications in training, design, and other business sectors.

Augmented reality headsets, although starting from a smaller base, are forecasted to experience rapid growth, reaching 10.9 million units by 2028, representing an 87.1 percent CAGR over the same period, IDC report said.

Ramon T. Llamas, research director with IDC’s Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality program, said the emergence of mixed reality (MR) and the integration of artificial intelligence into AR/VR experiences as key trends to watch. Additionally, advancements in display technology are expected to facilitate more sophisticated interactions with virtual content.

IDC’s Quarterly Augmented and Virtual Reality Headset Tracker reveals a notable 23.5 percent decline in global shipments for augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) headsets in 2023.