A Notable Challenger to Apple's Vision Pro VR Headset is on the Horizon
The Apple Vision Pro hasn't been a massive success, but Vivo is planning to launch a high-soaring rival headset next year.
Not everyone in the Western world may realize the significance of Vivo as a brand, but it's the leading smartphone vendor by shipments in China and India, according to Counterpoint Research.
During a recent event in China, Vivo divulged its intention to launch a mixed reality headset in 2025, as per a poster on Weibo, although we've still got some time to go before its release.
The rival to the Vision Pro is expected to be unveiled in September or October, and spectators will get a chance to test it out at demo booths before the year ends.
Han Boxiao, Vivo's COO, mentioned that the release of the headset is contingent on the existence of a robust software ecosystem to support it.
As for the mixed reality headset's features, there haven't been any concrete details revealed yet. However, it's been hinted that the Vivo model might outdo the Apple Vision Pro in some aspects.
Vivo's mixed reality division now supposedly boasts over 500 employees.
To appeal to audiences not targeted by the Apple Vision Pro, Vivo will likely need to sell the headset at a more affordable price point. There's no news on that front yet.
Apple reportedly slashed its sales projections for the Vision Pro to around 400,000 units in 2024, following its lukewarm reception.
One advantage of the Vision Pro over popular alternatives like the Meta Quest 3 is its exceptional visual fidelity. It boasts higher-quality passthrough cameras and a much higher pixel density display.
However, it has also failed to provide much for users to do with it, not aided by Apple's focus on presenting the device as a serious piece of equipment – a spatial computer – rather than a platform for enjoyable experiences.
At the event, Vivo also revealed the Vivo X200 Ultra phone and hinted at a future foldable mobile.
Vivo's upcoming high-end mixed reality headset, which is set to rival the Apple Vision Pro, is expected to be powered by a strong software ecosystem, as hinted by Han Boxiao, Vivo's COO. In contrast to the Apple Vision Pro, Vivo might price its headset more affordably to attract a broader audience.
The Vivo brand, while not as widely recognized in the Western world, is the leading smartphone vendor by shipments in China and India, surpassing even Apple in these markets, according to Counterpoint Research.
