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China’s Play for Dream is venturing into the world of mixed reality (MR) with a standalone headset that might remind you a lot of Apple’s Vision Pro. However, unlike a mere mimic, those who’ve gotten up close with it—including an ex-engineer from Quest—have given it a nod for its commendable execution.
Currently, the headset operates on a custom version of Android. But Play for Dream has shared with Road to VR that they are in talks about transitioning to Google’s Android XR platform. Although discussions are ongoing, there’s no firm timeline yet for this change.
It leaves open questions about whether their current MR headset will be upgraded to Android XR in the future or if this transition might be reserved for a subsequent model. As of now, with the $1,200 device poised to hit the market by the month’s end, it’s safe to assume that Android XR won’t make an appearance just yet. Google has indicated that Samsung’s Project Moohan headset will debut the Android XR, but a release date for that is still under wraps.
In China, Play for Dream is a recognized name, though it’s not widely known in the U.S. Recently, we dug a bit deeper into the company’s roots. Established in 2020 by CEO Huang Feng, who’s also behind Wanyoo Esports—the largest esports café chain in Asia—and Bixin, a major gaming platform app in China with over 60 million users. Alongside Feng, Chairman Zong Yuan and CTO Yue Fei steer the ship, leading a team of over 200, without any external funding.
Though they’ve launched several headsets across Asia, their focus for the Play for Dream MR is squarely on tapping into the U.S. XR market. When asked about comparisons to Apple’s Vision Pro, a spokesperson remarked, “We weren’t aiming to go head-to-head with the Vision Pro. We took inspiration from its trailblazing design but wanted to create an Android-based device with our own flair and philosophy.”
Despite its resemblance to the Vision Pro in both look and interface, the Play for Dream MR does differ in its support for motion controllers. The project turned heads initially with a Kickstarter campaign in September 2024, which managed to raise nearly $300,000 from 215 supporters, wrapping up the following month.
Backers are already starting to receive their headsets, with a broader release anticipated by the end of March, according to the company.
