Rumors are circulating that Microsoft has entered into a development and supply contract with Samsung Display for micro-OLED displays. The news comes from a Korean tech publication, The Elec, which reports that Microsoft is aiming for “hundreds of thousands” of these displays for an XR device specifically designed for gaming and media consumption. This device could potentially challenge Apple’s Vision Pro, and further fuel the growing competition in the XR market.
Other tech giants like Sony, Samsung, Google, and Meta are also actively developing their own Vision Pro rivals, often collaborating with companies like LG and Qualcomm. Microsoft, with its past experience in both VR gaming headsets and the work-focused AR headset HoloLens, joins this race. The future of the HoloLens 3 project remains uncertain, though Microsoft has not officially cancelled it.
The Korean report, quoting industry sources, suggests a potential launch date as early as 2026 for Microsoft’s XR device. This timeline seems ambitious, considering that Sony and Google’s headsets lack concrete launch dates, and Meta’s device isn’t expected until 2027. Despite the Vision Pro’s mixed reception and critical reviews, it has undoubtedly triggered a new wave of XR device development. The XR landscape is expected to witness continued advancements and innovations, thanks to the momentum generated by Apple’s ambitious launch.
