Since Facebook rebranded to Meta in 2020, it has largely been uncontested or otherwise a step ahead of its traditional competitors (namely Google, Apple, Samsung, etc). Since its launch in 2020 Meta shipped an estimated 14.8 million Quest 2 headsets according to Jeronimo Francisco of market research group IDC. This staggering figure makes the quest 2 the most successful headset so far, with sales consistently growing from 97% in 2021 to 242% in the first quarter of 2022. See this article from GamingBolt.
This feat is extraordinary, however logically Meta’s dominance of the market can only diminish from here. Apple has long been rumoured to be close to launching its own headset with consistent leaks and rumours that a release date is right around the corner. Apple’s headset will be powered by mixed reality technology rather than just the virtual reality technology used in Meta’s Quest 2. Additionally, Apple is planning to follow up the release of a mixed reality headset with a pair of augmented reality glasses. Clearly Apple is making a large investment in the VR/AR market with CEO Tim Cook calling the emerging technologies “critically important”.
Apple isn’t alone, with big names such as Google and Samsung rumoured to be developing their own devices in response to the Quest 2. Meta is developing new headsets in an effort to remain dominant, but as more and more companies invest significantly in the VR/AR market it will be interesting to see who emerges victorious.
