Sony Group Corp SONY is expected to sell fewer than 300,000 units of its PlayStation VR 2 headset during the initial weeks of its launch - could it be a red flag for Apple Inc.'s AAPL upcoming mixed reality headset?
What Happened: According to estimates from IDC, Sony is projected to sell about 270 K units of the PlayStation VR 2 between its February 22 launch and the end of the month, according to Bloomberg.
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IDC vice president of data and analytics said consumers around the world are facing rising costs of living, rising interest rates and rising layoffs. Most consumers don't think VR headsets are the top of mind in the current economic climate. After getting a lower-than-expected number of pre-orders, it was reported that the Tokyo-based console maker slashed its forecast for shipments of the PlayStation VR 2.
Consumers can purchase the PlayStation VR 2 headset and Sense controller at the recommended retail price of $549.99 in the U.S. — an upgrade over the original PlayStation VR, which launched at $399.
Why It s Important: The harrowing projections come at a time when Apple is planning to launch its first mixed reality headset in Spring this year.
The long-awaited mixed reality headset has cost the company eight years, but Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman says it could look like a dud next to the tech giant's existing lineup.
In its first year, Apple estimates that it can sell about a million headset units at $3,000 per unit, but Gurman expects no immediate profit.
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