Mashable: Apple is projected to sell approximately 500,000 units of its Vision Pro mixed reality (MR) headset, priced at $3,500, in 2024.

Extended Reality (XR) headset shipments are expected to experience a significant surge in 2024. Driven by Apple Vision Pro, these shipments are projected to increase by a remarkable 3.9 million units, resulting in a growth rate of nearly 50 percent compared to the previous year.

According to the latest Counterpoint Global XR (VR/AR) Forecast, the release of Apple's Vision Pro on February 2 in the US (with pre-orders beginning on January 19) is expected to generate significant user interest and drive industry advancements. This, in turn, will prove advantageous for existing market leaders.

As per to senior analyst Harmeet Singh Walia, Apple is projected to sell approximately 500,000 units of its Vision Pro mixed reality (MR) headset, priced at $3,500, in 2024. This would account for a small percentage of the global XR market in 2024.

Anyone who has ever used a VR headset knows from this image alone that Apple Vision Pro will be uncomfortable to wear.

It is so uniquely Apple to create a mid-spec product, charge $3000 for it, and make it uncomfortable so you will spend $500 more to make it comfortable. pic.twitter.com/oChGiW44AZ

— marko ▌ (@markopolojarvi) January 9, 2024
The initial release of the Vision Pro headset will mainly appeal to devoted Apple enthusiasts, developers, tech-savvy individuals, and business users.

According to Walia, if Apple manages to increase the availability of crucial components for the headset and generates more interest from consumers, a more positive outcome could be achieved. The report states that Augmented Reality (AR) is expected to experience a 54 percent year-on-year growth in 2024, which is contrary to the previous three years of decline. However, AR will still only account for a small portion (approximately 2 percent) of the overall XR shipments.

Apple said its Vision Pro augmented-reality headset will be available in the United States in February, months after it was launched to capture an AR headset market dominated by Facebook-parent Meta https://t.co/oS5brX7ZVk pic.twitter.com/Bb5TPrA58A

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 9, 2024
Senior analyst Karn Chauhan mentioned that North America has already emerged as the largest contributor to XR shipments, accounting for almost 70% of the best-selling Meta headsets shipped in the region. This dominance is expected to expand even further in 2024, primarily due to the exclusive availability of Apple's Vision Pro for sale in the United States during its initial year.

The report mentioned that Samsung's return to the market in 2024, possibly with a MR headset, will generate interest. However, even with its launch price, it is expected to have a smaller impact on global shipment growth compared to Apple, mainly because of its late-year release.