Compile/VR Gyro
A recent report in the Korea Herald said that Samsung is now steadily losing its position in the VR/AR field due to its obsession with folding smartphones.
Samsung launched its first commercial folding smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019, and the Galaxy Fold received mixed reviews, receiving praise for its innovative design and critical criticism for its low durability.
Image source: Samsung
On the other hand, recent market data shows that the VR/AR market will develop rapidly in the next few years, and by 2024, we may see a market size of about $300 billion. In the face of this situation, in addition to Meta, Apple is also developing dedicated XR devices, while Samsung, on the other hand, continues to focus on expanding its lineup of foldable smartphones.
Kim Gwang-soo, an analyst at eBest Investment and Securities, said: "It is the big tech companies that are now leading XR devices, not smartphone manufacturers, because these companies have the necessary content and platforms. Google has the Android operating system, Microsoft has the Xbox and Sony has the PlayStation. Samsung's launch of the XR device is risky, so it has no choice but to stick with a foldable smartphone. ”
According to a recent report by Counterpoint Research, a market-tracking agency, Samsung maintained its number one global smartphone supplier in 2021, but its overall sales grew only 0.9% year-over-year, while its rivals Apple and Xiaomi grew 25.5% and 32.5%, respectively.
Samsung's decision to ignore immersive technology to support the shrinking smartphone market could spell disaster for the company. Apple has said it plans to replace its line of iPhone devices with dedicated AR and VR headsets over the next 10 years, signaling a huge shift in the smartphone industry.
That said, Samsung has at least taken a few steps in improving its XR technology. Last November, the company invested in California-based XR eyewear maker DigiLens. During CES 2020, we also caught a glimpse of a pair of fitness-focused AR glasses called Samsung Glasses Lite, but have hardly received any news since.
Source: vrscout