IDC Sees VR/AR Headset Growth from 10.1m in 2016 to 99.4m by 2021
March 21, 2017

According to data from the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Augmented and Virtual Reality Headset Tracker, total headset device shipments will reach 99.4 million units in 2021, up nearly 10-fold from the 10.1 million units shipped in 2016, a CAGR of 58% across the five-year forecast period. Content providers are developing solutions to bring "as-if-you-were-there" experiences, like attending a concert or sports event from the comfort of one's couch. Additionally, gaming on AR and VR will transport players into outer space or the battlefield, several steps beyond what they currently experience on a PC or television screen. Layer on top of this the social element that users will have sharing experiences and it becomes clear how AR and VR will appeal to consumers. Although AR remains as the minority portion of the market in terms of shipments, these headsets are expected to bring in significantly more revenue over the course of the forecast as the value of AR headsets grows from $209 million in 2016 to $48.7 billion in 2021. Meanwhile, VR headsets grow from $2.1 billion in 2016 to $18.6 billion in 2021.
 
Table 1: VR/AR Headset Shipment Forecast

Source: IDC

Figure 1:  VR/AR Headset Forecast and Growth

Source: IDC

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