Vivo Vision Discovery Edition

The Vivo Vision Discovery Edition is a mixed-reality headset developed by Chinese technology company Vivo. Announced on 22 August 2025, the device marks Vivo’s entry into the extended reality (XR) market, competing directly with Apple’s Vision Pro, Meta’s Quest series, and Samsung’s upcoming Project Moohan headset.

The headset was first unveiled at Vivo’s 30th anniversary event in Dongguan, China, a major manufacturing hub located near Shenzhen.

Background

Vivo has primarily been known for its smartphones and consumer electronics. With the Vision Discovery Edition, the company aims to diversify into the emerging market of immersive computing.

The project took four years of research and development, during which Vivo conducted extensive user studies. According to company executives, the headset—comprising 1,800 individual components—was as complex to build as a personal computer.

Design and Build

The Vision Discovery Edition bears similarities to Apple’s Vision Pro in design, with a metal frame combined with plastic, glass, and fabric materials.

Key physical specifications include:

Weight: 398 grams

Height: 83 mm

Thickness: 40 mm

Size: 26% smaller than the industry average

To enhance user comfort, Vivo has included four sizes of light seals and eight foam padding options. Cameras are integrated into the front lens, while a digital crown enables users to scroll and adjust display opacity.

Features and Technology

The headset merges augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to provide an immersive mixed-reality experience.

Core features:

MicroOLED Displays – delivering high pixel density and sharp resolution.

Eye-Tracking System – enabling users to navigate the interface using eye movement and finger taps.

3D Capture – supports recording of 3D videos and spatial photos, compatible with select Vivo smartphones.

Gesture Controls – allows three-dimensional interactions with hand and finger gestures, similar to competitors.

Battery Pack – an external, phone-sized unit with a runtime of up to two hours.

Extended Reality Concept

Vivo markets the device under the concept of extended reality (XR), highlighting its ability to blend digital and physical environments.

At the launch event, the company envisioned a future where face-worn computers could become central to digital life, potentially complementing or replacing existing devices like smartphones and PCs.

Market Context

The XR industry is still in a developmental stage. Apple’s Vision Pro, priced at $3,500, is widely regarded as an advanced device, but adoption has been slow due to its high cost. Similarly, Meta and Samsung continue to experiment in this market without achieving mainstream traction.

Industry analysts have offered cautious views on Vivo’s entry:

Ben Wood (CCS Insight) noted that spatial computing is a promising field but that the market is not growing as quickly as expected. He suggested the launch might give Vivo some momentum but doubted it would significantly impact the brand in the short term.

Runar Bjørhovde (Canalys) argued that Vivo’s move reflects reaching a key R&D milestone, with the company advancing despite limited immediate sales opportunities.

Launch Strategy

Unlike Apple’s direct commercial release of the Vision Pro, Vivo has opted for a phased approach. The company is setting up demo zones in select Chinese cities to gather consumer and developer feedback before a full launch.

This strategy suggests a focus on fine-tuning the product and ecosystem before making it widely available.

Reception and Challenges

The Vision Discovery Edition has been praised for its lightweight design, comfort options, and advanced eye-tracking features. However, challenges facing the entire XR industry remain:

High pricing

Battery limitations

Limited immersive applications

Ecosystem integration with smartphones and PCs

The success of Vivo’s headset will depend on how quickly these barriers are addressed, along with advances in display technology, longer battery life, and development of practical applications.