Virtual reality enthusiasts are collectively looking forward to Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, but one research group thinks those impressive devices won’t represent the bulk of consumer spending on VR this year.
Consumers will spend approximately $5.1 billion on VR hardware and software in 2016, according to market-intelligence firm SuperData. That’ll lead to an install of around 56 million across all devices — but only if you include cheap VR holsters like Google Cardboard. SuperData believes that those kinds of flimsy holders will make up the bulk of spending on VR, since the general consumer isn’t planning to invest hundreds of dollars into one of the more premium head-mounted displays. Of course, tech adviser Digi-Capital predicts that 2016’s hesitant start will eventually see the virtual and augmented reality market balloon into a $150 billion business by 2020.
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