As 5G penetration rate is expected to reach 50% in 2023, smart augmented reality (AR) glasses will begin entering the consumer market, according to Digitimes Research.
Many firms released inexpensive all-in-one VR solutions in 2018 to stimulate demand. AR/VR firms have also started combining their hardware with big-screen viewing experience, shipments of VR head-mounted display (HMD) have increased significantly in 2019 with particularly strong support from multimedia streaming service providers. All-in-one VR device shipments have also seen a surge in China in 2019.
In 2020, the shipment growth driver for AR/VR wearables will be smart AR glasses, which will serve as a peripheral and a second smartphone screen. The wearable will also be integrated with the functionality of Bluetooth earphones.
Since the devices' AR functionality will still be limited in 2020, the costs are unlikely to be too high and should put their prices in a rather consumer friendly zone, which is expected to expand their popularity among users.
Many telecom carriers have begun forming partnerships with AR/VR wearable firms recently and Digitimes Research expects the trend to grow stronger in 2020 as more business opportunities will emerge, making AR/VR applications a crucial part of the telecommunication market in the next few years.
With 5G commercialization expected to completely take off by 2023, full-function smart AR glasses will pose a strong challenge to smartphones.
