American teens aren’t excited about virtual reality, with only 4% using it daily

Virtual actuality hasn’t caught on with American teenagers, in keeping with a brand new survey from Piper Sandler launched on Tuesday.

While 29% p.c of teenagers polled owned a VR gadget — versus 87% who personal iPhones — solely 4% of headset homeowners used it every day, the funding agency discovered, and 14% used them weekly.

In addition, youngsters did not appear that taken with shopping for forthcoming VR headsets. Only 7% mentioned they deliberate to buy a headset, versus 52% of teenagers polled who have been not sure or uninterested.

The survey outcomes counsel that digital actuality {hardware} and software program has but to catch on with the general public regardless of billions of {dollars} in funding within the know-how from Big Tech corporations and quite a few low-cost headsets available on the market. Teenagers are sometimes seen as early adopters of recent know-how and their preferences can present a preview of the place the trade goes.

“To us, the lukewarm usage demonstrates that VR remains ‘early days’ and that these devices are less important than smartphones,” Piper Sandler analysts wrote.

The survey additionally reveals that VR is struggling to realize traction as Apple reportedly prepares to announce its personal headset as quickly as this 12 months. The survey means that it could have an uphill climb to persuade potential clients.

Facebook mum or dad Meta can be anticipated to launch new digital actuality headsets later this 12 months. Its Quest 2 headset, which was launched in 2020, is by far the chief available in the market phrases of gross sales, however shipments declined final 12 months, in keeping with analysts.

Piper Sandler’s teen examine surveyed greater than 5,600 teenagers within the U.S. in February.