Tucked away in China, Play for Dream is making waves with its development of a standalone mixed reality headset that looks eerily like Apple’s Vision Pro. Despite its resemblance, early testers, including a former Quest engineer, argue that it’s more than just a doppelgänger and deserves commendation for its execution.
Currently, the headset uses a unique version of Android, the company has shared with Road to VR that it plans to transition to Google’s upcoming Android XR platform. Discussions are ongoing, but no concrete timeline has been established for this shift.
What remains unclear, however, is whether the existing Play for Dream MR headset will be upgraded with Android XR down the line, or if the company plans to implement this change in a future iteration. Considering the device is set to hit the shelves soon with a price tag of $1,900, it seems unlikely that Android XR will be integrated before its launch. This is especially true since Samsung’s Project Moohan is slated to debut first with Android XR, though no release date for it has been disclosed yet.
While Play for Dream has made a name for itself in China, it’s relatively unknown in the US market. The company was established in 2020 by CEO Huang Feng, who also founded Wanyoo Esports, dubbed Asia’s largest esports café chain, and Bixin, a leading gaming platform in China with a userbase exceeding 60 million. Other notable figures in the company include Chairman Zong Yuan and CTO Yue Fei. Despite having over 200 employees, Play for Dream has not pursued external funding.
Focusing heavily on breaking into the US XR market, Play for Dream addresses criticisms that the headset mirrors Apple’s Vision Pro by clarifying that the intent wasn’t to create a direct rival. Instead, they drew inspiration from Apple’s design but aimed to craft something distinct with their Android-based device.
Distinctive aspects of the Play for Dream MR headset include its support for motion controllers, setting it apart from Vision Pro. This venture first took root with a Kickstarter campaign in September 2024, securing roughly $300,000 from 215 supporters before concluding in October.
Backers are already receiving their headsets, and the company indicates a broader release by the end of March. It’s notable that the initial Kickstarter offered the headset at $1,200, but the current price is updated to $1,900 as reflected in the new listings.
