A new survey from Piper Sandler has revealed that virtual reality (VR) technology has failed to gain significant popularity among American teenagers. The survey found that only 29% of teens polled owned a VR device, while a striking 87% owned an iPhone. Moreover, of those who owned VR headsets, only 4% used them on a daily basis, and 14% used them weekly.
The survey also indicated that teenagers do not appear to be interested in purchasing forthcoming VR headsets. Only 7% of those polled said they planned to buy a headset, while 52% were either unsure or uninterested.
The results suggest that despite significant investment by Big Tech companies and the availability of low-cost headsets on the market, VR hardware and software has yet to gain traction with the public. Teenagers are often seen as early adopters of new technology, and their preferences can provide insight into where the industry is headed.
According to Piper Sandler analysts, the tepid usage of VR technology indicates that it is still in the “early days” and that smartphones remain more important than VR devices.
The survey also revealed that VR is facing challenges as Apple reportedly prepares to launch its own headset later this year. The survey suggests that Apple may have an uphill battle to convince potential customers, given the lack of interest among teenagers.
The sources for this piece include an article in CNBC.