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Based in China, Play for Dream is gearing up to make waves in the realm of mixed reality (MR) technology by developing a standalone headset that bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s Vision Pro. Despite some initial comparisons to the Vision Pro, insiders who’ve experienced it firsthand, including a former engineer from Quest, have spoken highly of its performance, suggesting there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
At present, the Play for Dream MR headset operates on a customized version of the Android system, but the company has plans to transition to Google’s Android XR platform. Though this move is still in the discussion phase, no definitive timeline has been set. It’s not yet clear if the current model of the headset will receive the Android XR update post-launch, or if this will be reserved for a future iteration.
With plans to roll out the $1,900 headset by the end of the month, it’s improbable that the Android XR switch will happen immediately. Adding to this is Google’s announcement that Samsung’s Project Moohan headset will debut with Android XR, though its launch date remains under wraps.
While Play for Dream enjoys a solid reputation in China, its presence in the US market is minimal. Recently, the company shed some light on its journey. Headed by CEO Huang Feng, who also founded Asia’s largest esports café chain Wanyoo Esports and the popular Chinese gaming platform Bixin with over 60 million users, the company boasts an impressive background. Other notable figures include Chairman Zong Yuan and CTO Yue Fei. Remarkably, Play for Dream has a team of over 200 employees and has managed to advance without any external funding.
Historically, the company has been selling various headsets within Asia, but today their focus is squarely on making inroads into the US XR space. Addressing critiques about the headset’s similar appearance to Apple’s Vision Pro, a company spokesperson clarified, “We didn’t set out to compete with Apple head-on. Instead, we took inspiration from its design to craft an Android device that represents our own vision and philosophy.”
Despite looking like the Vision Pro in many ways, Play for Dream MR stands out by supporting motion controllers, a feature that Apple’s offering lacks. The headset benefited from a successful Kickstarter campaign launched in September 2024, raising about $300,000 with the support of 215 backers, wrapping up in October.
They’ve started shipping the first units of the Play for Dream MR headset to backers, with a broader release scheduled for the end of March. It’s worth noting that earlier, during the Kickstarter, the headset was priced at $1,200—a figure since corrected to its current $1,900 price tag as it hits the wider market.
