VR headset shipments exceed one million for the first time in Q3

Global virtual reality headset shipments exceeded one million units for the first time in the third quarter of 2017, according to Canalys data.

The research firm said that VR headset shipments show “no signs of slowing” and claimed that Oculus dropping the price of its Rift headset to US$399 has “definitely helped drive adoption”.

Sony was the market leader in Q3, shipping more than 490,000 PlayStation VR headsets, according to Canalys. Oculus came second, shipping 210,000 of its Rift headsets, while HTC took third place shipping 160,000 Vive VR units.

Sony, Oculus and HTC together made up 86% of the total market in Q3 2017, according to the report.

Canalys tracks devices “with a display designed to be worn on the face” and excludes simple smartphone-based viewers, such as Samsung’s Gear VR and Google’s Daydream View.

“VR adoption in the consumer segment is highly dependent on price, and Oculus’ strategy of lowering prices has definitely helped drive adoption,” said Canalys research analyst Vincent Thielke.

“Hugo Barra [Facebook’s VP of VR] is betting on his next product, the US$199 Oculus Go standalone headset, to reach more users next year. The Go will excite first-time users, but driving adoption beyond social media will be a challenge.”

Canalys analyst Jason Low added: “VR in business can be applied to many industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare and education. As top-tier PC vendors, including HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus and Dell, launch their own VR headsets, using their distribution channel efficiencies, one can expect a strong VR uptake in business.”