Vivo Unveils Plans for Vision Pro Competitor Headset in 2025

While Apple’s Vision Pro has yet to achieve blockbuster success, Vivo, a major global player in the tech industry, is set to launch a powerful rival headset in 2025. Vivo, which has established itself as the top smartphone brand by shipments in China and India, according to Counterpoint Research, is looking to carve a significant space in the growing mixed reality (MR) market. Although many in Western markets may not fully grasp the importance of Vivo, the company has become a dominant force in the tech industry in many parts of the world.

At a recent event in China, Vivo revealed its plans to introduce an innovative MR headset in 2025, marking a major step into the rapidly evolving world of mixed reality. The announcement, made via a Weibo post, suggests the headset will rival Apple’s Vision Pro, offering a competitive alternative for users seeking an immersive experience in virtual or augmented reality. While it will be some time before the device hits the market, Vivo has provided some details about the launch and the company’s ambitions.

The announcement also comes at a time when Apple’s Vision Pro has not lived up to its high expectations. Despite its premium price and cutting-edge features, including high-quality passthrough cameras and a high pixel density display, the Vision Pro has struggled to find mass-market appeal. Apple’s decision to position the device as a “spatial computer” rather than a more traditional entertainment-focused product may have alienated potential users. While the Vision Pro offers superior visual fidelity compared to more popular MR devices like Meta’s Quest 3, it has been criticized for lacking sufficient content and applications that would encourage widespread adoption.

Vivo’s MR headset is set to take a different approach, targeting a broader audience by offering a more accessible price point. Although there has been no official confirmation on the price, it is expected that Vivo will position the device as a more affordable alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro, potentially opening up mixed reality experiences to a wider range of consumers. At a time when Apple has reportedly halved its sales estimates for the Vision Pro, dropping its 2024 forecast to around 400,000 units due to a lukewarm reception, Vivo may be positioning itself to capitalize on a market still in its early stages.

Vivo’s plans for the MR headset include unveiling the device in late 2025, with an official announcement expected in September or October. Prior to its full release, Vivo will likely set up demo booths where the public can experience the headset in person. The company’s COO, Han Boxiao, emphasized that the timing of the full product launch will depend on the development of a robust software ecosystem to support the headset. This focus on creating a healthy ecosystem for mixed reality is crucial, as the success of any MR headset is closely tied to the availability of apps, games, and experiences that users can enjoy on the platform.

Vivo’s mixed reality division is reportedly expanding rapidly, with over 500 employees currently working on the project. This growth signals the company’s commitment to entering the MR market with a well-developed product that could rival, or even surpass, the Apple Vision Pro in certain respects. While Vivo has yet to reveal specific details about the headset’s features, analysts expect that it will bring significant advancements over Apple’s device, particularly in areas such as affordability, content availability, and perhaps even visual technology. The development team’s size and the company’s ambitious goals suggest that Vivo is serious about making a major impact in the MR market.

Despite the challenges that come with launching a new technology, Vivo appears confident in its ability to succeed where others, including Apple, have faced setbacks. The company’s strategy for competing with the Vision Pro also involves ensuring that its device is not limited to the high-end, niche market Apple is targeting. By offering a more accessible price point and focusing on a diverse range of potential use cases, Vivo aims to reach audiences that might have been turned off by the Vision Pro’s exclusivity.

Vivo’s move into the MR space comes amid growing interest in mixed reality technology, with several major tech companies investing heavily in the development of new headsets and software for the platform. While Meta’s Quest 3 remains the most popular MR headset on the market, it has yet to achieve the level of mainstream adoption that some industry insiders had anticipated. Meta has focused on making its headsets more affordable and accessible, while Apple’s Vision Pro has taken a more premium, niche approach. Vivo’s headset is likely to straddle the line between affordability and performance, catering to consumers who want cutting-edge technology without the high price tag.

Vivo’s announcement also coincided with the launch of the company’s new flagship smartphone, the Vivo X200 Ultra, as well as a teaser for a future foldable mobile device. These product announcements further demonstrate Vivo’s broad ambitions to diversify its tech portfolio and challenge industry leaders in multiple categories. By combining a competitive MR headset with a strong smartphone lineup and upcoming foldable technology, Vivo is positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the global tech market.

The future of mixed reality is still uncertain, with many industry experts debating how quickly the technology will gain mainstream acceptance. While Apple’s Vision Pro has received praise for its hardware capabilities, it has yet to convince the mass market of its value. Vivo’s upcoming MR headset, with its competitive pricing and focus on a robust software ecosystem, may offer a solution to some of the challenges faced by the Vision Pro. If Vivo can deliver on its promises, it may very well lead the way in shaping the future of mixed reality, providing users with an affordable and accessible alternative to Apple’s high-end offering.

In conclusion, Vivo’s entry into the MR market with a headset designed to rival Apple’s Vision Pro has the potential to shake up the industry. While the device is still some time away from launch, its affordability, strong software ecosystem, and ambitious features could make it a strong competitor in the rapidly growing mixed reality space.