The Play For Dream MR headset made waves at CES 2025, and not without reason. This Android-based standalone VR headset boasts impressive specs: 4K microOLED panels, a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor, integrated eye tracking, and—unlike some high-end competitors—controllers. At first glance, it seems like a blatant Apple Vision Pro clone. The design, buttons, and even the operating system mimic Apple’s flagship XR device down to the smallest details. Shockingly, it works almost as well, with some surprising advantages.
Let’s dive into the details.
The Hardware: A Closer Look
Visuals
The visuals on the Play For Dream MR are breathtaking and easily comparable to the Apple Vision Pro. Its 4K microOLED panels deliver stunning image quality with perfect black levels, vibrant colors, and HDR support for incredible contrast. These are the same panels that wowed us in the MeganeX Superlight 8K, and they continue to set the gold standard for VR visuals in 2025. Brightness is slightly less than the Meta Quest 3, but the superior contrast more than compensates.
Lenses
The device uses pancake lenses that, while competent, aren’t top-tier. Glare is noticeable—more so than the MeganeX but less than the Bigscreen Beyond. Edge-to-edge clarity is good, but chromatic aberration at the edges is significant, creating rainbow-like distortions when you look far to the periphery. While this flaw won’t impact most use cases, it’s worth noting.
Field of View (FOV)
The company rates the horizontal FOV at 102°, which feels accurate. It offers a slightly larger FOV than the MeganeX Superlight 8K and a noticeably taller vertical view than the Apple Vision Pro, making it feel more immersive overall.
Binocular Overlap
Binocular overlap is solid but not as seamless as the MeganeX Superlight 8K. While it doesn’t detract from the experience, enthusiasts who value this aspect might notice the difference.
Comfort
Here, the Play For Dream MR stands out. It feels significantly lighter than the Apple Vision Pro, thanks to a plastic front shell instead of glass. The battery placement in the rear head strap provides excellent balance, and the magnetically attached, exchangeable face cushions add a premium touch. It’s comfortable enough for extended sessions, making it a serious contender for gaming enthusiasts but we will get into that a bit later.
Audio
Due to the bustling expo environment, we couldn’t thoroughly evaluate the audio quality. However, the built-in speakers appear to mimic the Apple Vision Pro’s design. If they perform similarly, this will be a strong area for the device.
Controllers and Tracking
Unlike the Apple Vision Pro, this headset includes gaming controllers. They feature standard Oculus-style buttons, feel great in the hand, and perform reliably. Inside-out tracking worked flawlessly in our tests. The built-in SteamVR PCVR streaming is a standout feature, though latency issues (more on this later) need resolving before launch.
UI & UX
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Apple should be very flattered. The Play For Dream MR’s operating system is a near-perfect replica of VisionOS. From floating circular icons to window manipulation via gaze and pinch gestures, it’s all here—and it works remarkably well. That said, this blatant copying is a lawsuit waiting to happen, making the device unsellable in Western markets unless significant changes are made.
Game Compatibility
The Play For Dream MR is aimed squarely at gamers. While the standalone library is limited (we only tested Hubris), the device shines with PCVR gaming. We played Half-Life: Alyx via wired SteamVR streaming, and the visuals were incredible—sharp, vibrant, and full of OLED goodness. However, noticeable latency marred the experience. Wireless streaming wasn’t testable due to Wi-Fi interference at the expo, but this will be a critical feature to evaluate in the future.
Conclusion
The Play For Dream MR headset is a surprising gem from CES 2025. It’s lighter, includes controllers, and offers SteamVR streaming out of the box—features the Apple Vision Pro lacks. The hardware is solid, with breathtaking visuals and excellent comfort. If the company can resolve latency issues and expand content availability with AndroidXR, this could become a compelling option for PCVR enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, its shameless imitation of Apple Vision Pro will make it a tough sell in Western markets. Legal challenges are almost inevitable, but for now, the Play For Dream MR stands as a remarkable piece of hardware that we’re excited to keep an eye on.
We have awarded it the “MRTV Surprise XR Device of CES 2025”—and we think it deserves the title. Stay tuned for more updates as this ambitious headset evolves.
