Vivo Vision Discovery Edition: Vivo has finally entered the mixed reality space with the release of its first-ever MR headset, the Vision Discovery Edition, revealed in celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary in China. The device is seen as a direct rival to Apple’s Vision Pro, mirroring Apple’s design ideology while introducing its innovations. The launch also marks Vivo’s entry into a high-end product lineup, highlighting its ambitions beyond smartphones.
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Design and Comfort: Lightest in the Segment
Initially, the Vivo Vision Discovery Edition looks exactly like the Apple Vision Pro, coming with a Dual Loop Band and a Solo Knit Band. Yet, Vivo’s ergonomics strategy sets it apart. It weighs a mere 388 grams, which is much lighter compared to most MR headsets, which weigh more than 500 grams. The lightness makes it easily one of the most comfortable headsets to use for a long time. To increase comfort further, Vivo comes with four varied light seal sizes and eight different foam padding alternatives to enable users to tailor the fit according to individual preference.
Display and Visual Experience: Cinema-Grade Quality
The headset features dual 8K micro-LED displays, each providing 3,840 × 3,552 pixels per eye. The visual experience is both vivid and realistic with 94 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and DeltaE < 2 accuracy. Vivo has also done away with common problems associated with binocular vision differences by maintaining the brightness difference between the two eyes at ≤ 2 nits and colour difference at ΔE < 2. This has the effect of causing negligible eye fatigue when used for extended periods of time, making it ideal for entertainment, gaming, and work. The company asserts that the headset provides images as good as professional cinema monitors, leaving a tall order for competition to match.
Performance: Driven by Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2
Inside, the Vivo Vision Discovery Edition is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, which provides 2.5 times more GPU performance and 8 times more AI capability compared to its predecessor. This amount of processing power is required to process real-time rendering in spatial computing and construct smooth, intuitive MR experiences. The additional performance also provides for seamless large-scale visuals and multitasking.
Software and Interaction: OriginOS Vision
The headset ships with Vivo’s proprietary OriginOS Vision, an operating system that has been developed exclusively for mixed reality. The system is interaction-based on natural “move-and-pinch” gestures, conforming to industry standards and enhancing user-friendliness. The software is optimized to merge digital information seamlessly into a user’s environment, giving rise to immersive experiences in entertainment, gaming, and productivity.
Advanced Tracking and Immersive Media
Vivo has also fitted the headset with cutting-edge tracking technology, such as 1.5-degree high-precision eye tracking, fingertip recognition with 26 degrees of freedom, and a vertical tracking range of up to 175 degrees. Media enthusiasts will enjoy having the ability to project a huge virtual screen measuring as much as 120 feet in length, transforming any setting into an intimate home theater. Viewers can watch panoramic live sports and e-sports action and switch between camera angles or even split-screen modes for a personalized experience.
Availability: China-Exclusive for Now
As much as Vivo has launched the Vision Discovery Edition in China, pricing information is still pending. Today, it seems that availability is currently confined to its home market. Nevertheless, due to its aggressive positioning, industry observers are eager to find out if Vivo broadens its distribution worldwide in the near term.