Strategy Analytics today said Google dominated the VR headset shipments in 2016, while Samsung took the top spot for VR revenues.
Google’s Cardboard VR ecosystem has a commanding share of shipments and installed base, but Samsung and Sony’s successful VR launches in 2016 see them split more than half of VR hardware revenues.
Over 30 million VR headsets shipped, split between 6 major VR platforms, according to Strategy Analytics report called VR Headset Platform Market Share Year End 2016.
“Appearing alongside Google Cardboard were new platforms Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and SteamVR, currently served by the HTC Vive device, although more vendors will join this platform in 2017,” said David MacQueen, executive director of Strategy Analytics’ Virtual Reality Ecosystem research program.
Google has a commanding lead in terms of shipments and installed base for its low cost Cardboard VR platform. The size of the audience is already attracting marketers and brands looking to use VR as a promotional tool.
Google’s Cardboard VR accounted for 12 percent revenue share. The higher-spec smartphone VR platform, Samsung Gear VR, took top spot by revenues with a 35 percent revenue share. Sony’s PS VR launch sees that platform take second place by revenues, and between them Sony and Samsung captured more than half of VR hardware revenues in 2016.
“We expect some shakedown as the competing ecosystems either cement their position or fall by the wayside. Hardware revenues or audience alone will not be enough to win in the market for VR and AR,” said Cliff Raskind, senior director at Strategy Analytics.
