The reality as we know it will soon be merged with a virtual one, at least according to augmented reality statistics. Many people already use AR and VR, but soon enough, this number will reach millions.
People mostly like AR while shopping, but the healthcare and automotive industry also reap the benefits of augmented reality.
Still, some 70% of Americans are unsure about the definition of AR, even though 46% of them use it without even realizing it. If you wish to learn more, keep reading.
AR Statistics (Editor’s Choice)
- The global AR, VR, and MR market reached $30.7 billion in 2021.
- The mobile AR market will grow from $7.6 billion in 2020 to $29.5 billion in 2025.
- North America dominated the AR market in 2020 with a revenue share of about 35%.
- The AR and VR headset market will have 65.9 million units by 2022.
- Globally, $18.8 billion was spent on AR and VR in 2020.
- AR glasses sales will hit 22.8 million units by 2022.
- A total of 71% of customers shopped more when they used AR.
- A total of 88% of small businesses are already using AR.
Augmented Reality Market
Augmented reality, virtual reality, and the mixed reality industry are growing fast. Just a few years down the road, humanity will see immense growth in this market that has the potential to reach over $340 billion.
1. The global AR, VR, and MR market reached $30.7 billion in 2021.
(Source: Statista)
In 2021, the global AR, VR, and MR market size reached $30.7 billion. Being a part of the extended reality (XR) industry, AR, VR, and MR will play a key role in creating the metaverse, a place where physical and digital worlds come together. This will also increase the augmented reality market size in the future.
2. By 2028, the AR market size is forecasted to hit $340.16 billion.
(Source: PR Newswire)
The global AR market size is also expected to reach $340.16 billion by 2028. The forecasts say it will have a CAGR of 43.8% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth will be triggered by continued innovations and adoption in multiple industries like retail, education, and healthcare, according to the augmented reality market forecast.
3. The head-mount display and smart glass accounted for the largest market share of 65%.
(Source: Grand View Research)
In 2020, the head-mount display and smart glass accounted for the largest market share of 65%. HDM and smart glass are expected to continue dominating the market because of the significant demand for HDM in industrial and enterprise settings.
4. The handheld device segment is expected to reach a CAGR of 45% by 2028.
(Source: Grand View Research)
Based on the AR market size data, the handheld device segment is forecast to reach the highest CAGR of 45% during the stated period. This growth will be led by the increased need for handheld devices in the retail industry.
5. The mobile AR market will grow from $7.6 billion in 2020 to $29.5 billion by 2025.
(Source: MarketsandMarkets)
When it comes to smartphones and AR, this market will also grow from $7.6 billion in 2020 to an astonishing $29.5 billion by 2025. According to the mobile augmented reality market data, this will be a CAGR of 31.1% from 2020 to 2025. The retail sector will again affect the growth.
6. AR applications in the manufacturing and industrial sector accounted for the largest revenue share of 20%.
(Source: Grand View Research)
However, in 2020, the manufacturing and the industrial sectors accounted for the largest revenue share of 20%. It’s also expected to keep the lead in the future. At the moment, AR helps with reducing manufacturing downtime, which is one of the main reasons it’s used in manufacturing, augmented reality market analysis shows.
7. The automotive industry is expected to reach a CAGR of over 45% by 2028.
(Source: Grand View Research)
What’s more, several automotive companies are also utilizing AR technology to offer a better customer experience. Current forecasts show that the automotive industry will have a 45% CAGR by 2028. The education and healthcare industry will also witness growth.
8. North America dominated the AR market in 2020 with a revenue share of about 35%.
(Source: Grand View Research)
Augmented reality data shows that the US dominated the AR market in 2020. North America accounted for 35% of the revenue share. The reason behind this might be that the US is home to some of the most prominent tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, and similar.
9. The AR and VR headset market will have 65.9 million units by 2022.
(Source: CitrusBits)
By 2022, the AR and VR headset market will have 65.9 million units, according to augmented reality market research. For comparison, in 2018, there were only 8.9 million units out there. This growth is led by next-generation headsets from Apple, Google, and other tech companies.
10. The iOS platform leads the AR market with about 2,000 apps.
(Source: VentureBeat)
There are more than 2,000 AR apps available on the iOS App Store, compared to only 200 on Google Play. What’s more, AR is enabled on over 500 million devices, which will increase its reach.
Augmented Reality Costs
Developing an AR app can be costly, depending on the type of app. Enterprises usually need a more complex app, so they’ll likely pay more. Overall, global AR spending surpassed $18 billion in 2020.
11. The cost of a marker-based AR app ranges from $1,000 to $2.000.
(Source: ITRex Group)
Marker-based AR apps are one of the easiest apps to make. However, the cost of this kind of AR app ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, according to the current augmented reality cost.
12. However, the average amount spent on coding and programming for AR ranges from $37,000 to $90,000.
(Source: Austin Visuals)
Still, many other AR apps cost way more to make. The final cost will depend on the type of app, hours it takes to code, details, customization, testing, Software Development Kit (SDK), etc. This is why the average costs go from $37,000 to $90,000.
13. The US has the highest hourly rates for AR developers, at $150 per hour.
(Source: Invisible Toys)
Based on the augmented reality research of costs, the US has the highest-paid AR developers, at $150 per hour. On the other hand, India has the lowest-paid developers, at $15 – $30 per hour.
14. Vuforia is the most popular platform for AR development, and it costs $499.
(Source: Invisible Toys)
One of the best platforms to build an AR app on is Vuforia. It provides the ultimate image recognition tools and all instruments necessary for app development, and it supports all the latest trends in augmented reality. A one-time purchase is $499, and the classic license is $99 per month.
15. Globally, $18.8 billion was spent on AR and VR in 2020.
(Source: Threekit)
More and more companies are investing in AR. So much so that the global spending on AR and VR reached $18.8 billion in 2020. That’s up 78.5% from 2019, and the AR and VR industry shows no signs of stopping.
AR Trends
The current trends in the AR industry show that AR and VR tech will reach billions of users around the world. The 5G connection will boost this growth, as more users start purchasing 5G smartphones.
16. There are 221 million 5G mobile phones in the market.
(Source: LinkedIn)
The 5G mobile devices will drastically improve the delivery of AR apps and services. There are 221 million 5G mobile phones out there, ready to enable richer visual content with low latency, according to augmented reality trends.
17. There will be over 3.5 billion smartphone AR users by 2022.
(Source: CitrusBits)
The number of smartphone AR users could easily hit 3.5 billion by 2022. This means that 44% of the global population will use augmented reality in just a few more years.
18. AR glasses sales will hit 22.8 million units by 2022.
(Source: CitrusBits)
With the increased demand for AR, the number of hardware units that can work with this tech will grow. Based on the augmented reality stats, the AR glasses market is expected to reach 22.8 million units by 2022.
19. AngelList currently has about 2,160 VR companies listed.
(Source: FinancesOnline)
Entrepreneurs are also keeping an eye on the AR industry. Currently, AngelList has about 2,160 VR and 2,137 AR companies listed. As of August 2019, there were 1,816 AR startups, worth on average $5.4 million.
20. Still, about 31% of Americans don’t know what an AR is.
(Source: FinancesOnline)
The latest trends also show that 31% of Americans don’t know what an AR is. Another 70% are unsure about its definition.
Augmented Reality Adoption
At the moment, the retail industry sees the highest potential in AR, and the consumers agree. Shopping with AR is more fun. Additionally, prompting the employees to use AR glasses can improve their engagement at work.
21. Most AR users are in the 16 to 34 age group.
(Source: FinancesOnline)
Some generations are more aware of AR and VR than others. Overall, engagement is the highest among people aged 16 to 34, according to 2021 augmented reality statistics. Other generations are less in the know about this technology.
22. A total of 63% of retail brands plan on adopting AR in the next two years.
(Source: X-Cart)
AR has a lot of potential in the retail industry. At the moment, 63% of retail brands know this and plan to adopt AR technology in the next two years. The adoption will allow them to present their products in an improved manner and let customers interact with the items they sell.
23. A total of 71% of customers shopped more when they used AR.
(Source: X-Cart)
Based on the augmented reality conversion rates, 71% of customers shopped more when they used AR. Additionally, 72% stated they purchased items they didn’t want just because of AR, and 61% preferred stores with AR experience.
24. Still, 52% of retailers claim they aren’t ready to implement AR.
(Source: Threekit)
Even though AR brings multiple benefits for retail, 52% of businesses claim they aren’t ready to implement AR technologies. Most retailers have issues with 3D modeling and inventor photography, according to AR facts.
25. By 2025, 14 million US employees will use smart glasses at work.
(Source: XR Today)
Regardless, by 2025, 14 million US employees will use smart glasses at work. AR glasses can make employees more efficient and safer, help them solve issues in real-time, and collaborate with team members.
26. About 90% of consumers claim AR is fun.
(Source: CitrusBits)
Consumers are also highly optimistic about the latest AR technology, with 90% of them saying it’s fun to use. In addition, AR statistics show that try-before-you-buy experiences make shopping easier.
27. AR and VR in the healthcare industry will reach $7.05 billion by 2026.
(Source: CitrusBits)
AR and VR also have a bright future in the healthcare industry. According to estimates, this technology will reach $7.05 billion by 2026, and it will help the healthcare sector with improved diagnostics, disorder treatments, and increased disease awareness.
28. A total of 88% of small businesses are already using AR.
(Source: CitrusBits)
Augmented reality statistics point out that 88% of small businesses already use AR tech. This data shows that AR can go far beyond just gaming and shopping and help various sectors improve their operations and increase revenue.
29. A total of 60% of Americans will have access to AR tech on Facebook, Snapchat, or other social media.
(Source: FinancesOnline)
At the moment, augmented reality facts show that 60% of Americans have access to AR technology via social media platforms, and 46% have used an AR app without knowing. What’s more, another 37% of the global population can also use AR on Facebook, Snapchat, and other networks.
30. About 83.1 million consumers used AR in 2020.
(Threekit)
The US consumers love the AR features on their favorite websites. In 2020, there were 83.1 million people who used AR monthly. That’s about 15% of the US population.
Conclusion
The recent augmented reality statistics show that the metaverse will soon be a part of our daily lives. People will combine augmented reality with the real world and have more fun than ever before.
Soon, millions of units of smart glasses and AR tools will flood the markets, and the AR industry will flourish. Augmented reality will easily find its place in the automotive, retail, and healthcare industry, but that’s just the start.
For now, Facebook, Snapchat, and some other social media platforms are giving their users a taste of what AR is like.
FAQ
Facebook, Snapchat, and other social media platforms give access to AR to 60% of Americans. A total of 46% have used AR without even realizing it. Regarding generations that use AR the most, engagement is the highest among people aged 16 to 34.
US consumers are especially interested in using AR. There were 83.1 million people who used AR monthly in 2020. That’s about 15% of the US population. Consumers say shopping with AR is fun, and they also tend to purchase more items when using AR.
In 2021, the global AR, VR, and MR market size reached $30.7 billion. Additionally, the global AR market size is expected to reach $340.16 billion by 2028. The forecasts say it will have a CAGR of 43.8% for the forecasted period.
The mobile AR market will also grow from $7.6 billion in 2020 to $29.5 billion by 2025. The US was the dominant AR market in 2020, and it accounted for 35% of the revenue share. Overall, global AR spending surpassed $18 billion in 2020 and will keep on rising. This data shows that the AR industry won’t slow down its growth.
The North American region dominated the AR market in 2020, and it accounted for 35% of the revenue share. China has spent a similar amount of money as the US on the AR industry, while global spending surpassed $18 billion.
Regarding the US, about 83.1 million people used AR every month in 2020. The US and China tend to remain the biggest markets for AR across multiple industries.
Multiple industries need AR to improve operations. This includes healthcare, automotive, retail, and others. Additionally, consumers prefer experiencing products via AR tools and claim their shopping experience is improved.
This shows that AR is in demand. As a result, the overall AR, VR, and MR market is forecasted to grow immensely in the next few years as people and organizations hurry to adopt this technology.
At the moment, AR is the most popular among gamers. Still, it’s not used only for fun. Medical training also benefits from the use of AR, where its application ranges from MRI to complicated surgeries.
Harley Davidson uses AR to help its customers select the right product and improve their shopping experience. Additionally, television broadcast uses AR more and more, from weather broadcasts to sports events, according to augmented reality statistics.