Virtual Reality Trends 2024:
A Year in Review
Updated on October 2, 2026: This post is a historical year-in-review of the developments of 2024. The original events remain relevant in retrospect, but the prices and future predictions of that time do not automatically apply today. Therefore, we list what has been confirmed, changed, or not materialized since then.
Progress in VR and Mixed Reality Headsets in 2024
In 2024, the standalone headset continued to be an important entry point to VR. Devices like the Meta Quest 3 Combining virtual experiences with color passthrough. In September, Meta unveiled a cheaper device from the same platform family with the Quest 3S; delivery began in October 2024. Both devices share a computing platform and app offering, with the 3S saving on lenses, resolution, and features. This was a step towards a more affordable entry-level class, but not evidence that mixed reality had already established itself as the standard across all user groups.
In 2024, PICO released the PICO 4 Ultra with pancake lenses, two color-pass-through cameras, a depth sensor, and the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. This technology expanded the technical capabilities for mixed reality. Whether it becomes useful in everyday work depends on the software: A camera alone does not yet convincingly integrate a virtual object into a workflow. Our current contribution to PICO 4 Ultra describes functions and Enterprise variants as of 2026.
HTC also unveiled the VIVE Focus Vision 2024. It is aimed at professional applications with standalone and PC VR functions and complements the offering for companies. Comparing data sheets is only the beginning: field of view, fit, lighting conditions, management, and the specific training software should be practically tested before a rollout.
Orion was a prototype – not a purchase offer
A highly notable event was Meta’s presentation of the Orion prototype at Connect 2024. Meta described it as an early AR headset and gave selected employees and external individuals access to further develop the system. Orion showed a possible direction for lighter, eyeglasses-like devices with digital overlays. However, it was not a regular consumer product in 2024, nor was it an available purchase option at the time.
This distinction remains important when a prototype appears alongside marketable hardware in a year-in-review. A demonstrator proves that certain components work together in a development device. It does not indicate a confirmed delivery date nor a price, nor does it indicate a finished ecosystem or the everyday usability of a future mass-produced product. For an up-to-date overview of Meta's next steps, please also read our article on Meta's roadmap. Meta VR Glasses.
HoloLens 2: Pioneering role and end of production
Microsoft ended production of HoloLens 2 in 2024. The headset was an important early commercial attempt to integrate spatial guidance and digital objects into industrial processes. It did not „invent“ mixed reality or introduce it for the first time: research in augmented and mixed reality, systems, and product concepts had existed long before. However, HoloLens helped make spatial applications more visible and practically testable for companies.
Microsoft has announced monthly security updates for HoloLens 2 until December 2027. The end of production therefore does not mean that every existing device will be immediately switched off. However, companies must still consider app, service, spare part, and security deadlines separately for operation. Our contribution to Production end and support status of the HoloLens explains the transition planning.
Which predictions from 2024 have been confirmed by 2026?
Mixed Reality remained an important device feature, but not a universal standard application. Many current headsets offer color pass-through and spatial tracking. Whether people use these features regularly depends on available apps, comfort, price, and tasks. In gaming and demos, the hurdles are often lower than in mission-critical applications with strict security or privacy requirements.
The market did not remain confined to a single ecosystem. Google and Samsung announced Android XR; the Samsung Galaxy XR was launched in select markets in 2025. Google added further software and enterprise features to the platform in 2026. This brought a new competitor, but not yet a general platform shift. For buyers, app availability, business model, regional availability, and long-term management remain important factors.
Lighter form factors remain a development goal. In 2026, Meta introduced VR glasses weighing around 100 grams and planned availability for spring 2027. As of this writing, this is an announced future product line; it should not be considered a now-available alternative. The difference between glasses format, smart glasses, and a full-fledged VR headset remains significant: they offer different displays, inputs, and immersion.
High-end spatial computing remained a niche with high prices. Apple updated the Vision Pro 2025 with the M5 chip. The device is still listed at €3,699 in the German Apple Store. Its premium positioning makes it interesting for certain workflows, but not automatically the economical choice for large training fleets. For general procurement, compare, for example, current models in our VR headset comparison 2026.
PC VR didn’t disappear, but the platform landscape changed. Valve listed the Steam Frame in its own hardware category. A product page or announcement does not replace the verification of availability, delivery date, price, warranty, and software compatibility in your own market when making purchasing decisions.
2024 review in practice: What companies can learn from it
The most significant advancement was less a single headset than a broader selection. Standalone devices reduced the dependence on a PC; color passthrough brought real-world spaces into more and more XR applications; business versions offered administrative features for multiple devices. At the same time, new decisions arose regarding accounts, privacy, licensing, support, and software maintenance.
Anyone planning an XR project today should therefore choose a specific task and conduct a limited pilot. Measure setup time, user comfort, error rate, learning or production effect, and ongoing support requirements. Also, check how content is updated, how user data is protected, and whether the system receives security updates over the planned deployment period.
For companies, a consumer headset may suffice for a single prototype, while a managed fleet requires an enterprise solution. For some workflows, a tablet, monitor, or mobile 3D view remains the more robust solution. The appropriate device follows the workflow, not the hype of a year.
Conclusion: In 2024, more accessible MR devices, new headsets for different price ranges, and more attention to lightweight AR glasses were introduced. By 2026, some of these developments have evolved into available products and software platforms. Others – such as Orion and the Meta VR Glasses planned for 2027 – remain development or future topics. Therefore, this article is intended as a historical overview; current purchase decisions should consider the devices available today and their contractual terms.
Sources: Meta: Quest 3S announcement 2024; Meta: Orion prototype; Microsoft: Security update for HoloLens 2; Apple Store Germany: Vision Pro. Status of classification: October 2, 2026.
Classification of device forms in the market by 2026
Another insight from the review is that XR is not a single product category. A VR headset with color passthrough is built for immersive content; a lightweight smart glasses can offer audio, camera, and notifications primarily; an AR glasses with an optical display serves other purposes. These devices cannot be compared solely by weight or processor. Check what display is available, how content is input, which apps are running, and whether the real environment is perceived directly or through cameras.
For purchasers, this means consistently separating announcements from delivery products. A prototype like Orion, a planned eyewear model, or a headset that is only available in certain countries can be interesting for a roadmap, but it is not a reliable basis for a fleet order today. Total cost of a VR headset and the duration for support and administration should be included in the planning.
