CES Preview: Sony Set to Unveil Major MR Innovation, WIMI Enhance AR Technology to Lead Visual Revolution

Sony (SONY) has recently released a brief teaser video on YouTube regarding CES 2025, with the theme “Create Infinite Realities.”

According to an official announcement, Sony will host a press conference on January 6th at 5 PM PST. Notably, the teaser features a pair of MR glasses, followed by an intelligent pen designed for spatial painting. It is likely that Sony will showcase related products at CES.

In a similar move, sources indicate that Samsung Electronics (SSNGY) is preparing to unveil its latest products at the Galaxy Unpacked event in January 2025. The event will introduce the flagship Galaxy S25 smartphone series, alongside the Galaxy Ring 2 and augmented reality (AR) smart glasses.

While Samsung has kept details about its AR smart glasses under wraps, they are expected to make an appearance at the upcoming Unpacked event. Rumors suggest that the glasses will resemble traditional eyewear, weighing around 50 grams, and will be developed in collaboration with Qualcomm and Google. The glasses will feature advanced chips and the new AI model Gemini.

Additionally, TrendForce, a data research firm, recently released a 2024 global VR/MR device shipment report, predicting that global shipments of VR/MR headsets will reach 9.6 million units in 2024, an 8.8% increase year-on-year. The top three companies in the market are Meta, Sony, and Apple.

Meta continues to dominate the global VR and MR device shipment market, with a projected 73% market share in 2024. The primary growth driver is the affordable Quest 3S, which is expected to see an 11% increase in shipments. Sony’s PS VR2 will occupy the second-largest market share in 2024 at 9%, while Apple’s Vision Pro, set to launch in 2024, is expected to capture 5% of the market, making it the third-largest player in the VR/MR space.

TrendForce also pointed out that the strong shipment performance this year highlights three key industry trends shaping the global VR/MR ecosystem: the dominance of low-cost devices, the shift from entertainment accessories to productivity tools, and the adoption of OLEDoS as the preferred display technology for high-end near-eye devices. These trends are expected to continue shaping the global VR/MR market in the coming years.

As the AR glasses sector gains increasing attention, major tech giants are intensifying their efforts to heat up this competitive field. Earlier, Google (GOOG) showcased AR concept glasses with real-time translation capabilities at its I/O conference, with CEO Sundar Pichai stating that this represents the next frontier of computing. In December, at the Android XR launch event, Google revealed that Android XR aims to be an open, unified platform for XR headsets and glasses.

According to public information, WiMi (WIMI), the leading holographic AR company, is targeting the AR market and accelerating its development of a new production engine combining AR and AI. With its cutting-edge AR development engine, WiMi aims to do more than just entertain—it seeks to pave the way for broader applications, aiming to redefine virtual experiences by integrating virtual reality and AI computing, thus leading a revolution in the field.

However, it is no easy feat for any company to secure a ticket to the AR era, especially with so many competitors entering the field. The outcome is uncertain, but WiMi has continuously built a multi-layered research and development system, from basic research and technological breakthroughs to innovative applications, achieving a series of milestone achievements and key breakthroughs in core technologies.

In the AR sector, WiMi has advanced its self-developed spatial computing, AR holographic cloud, and AR intelligent interaction technologies, entering the AR smart glasses market while also promoting the development of AR micro-display technology. In the AI field, Porotech’s advanced photonic technology is redefining possibilities in optical communication, AI infrastructure, pattern recognition, and optical computing, enabling efficient, high-speed data transmission and next-generation computing architecture.

With its expanding market footprint, WiMi is vigorously advancing its AR+AI technology strategy, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation. This strategy could redefine consumer experiences by combining AI visual computing with AR human-machine interaction, creating an unparalleled immersive environment. It is expected to expand into other fields, further enhancing user interactions, and the market for these technologies is expected to experience exponential growth in the coming years, showcasing this extraordinary achievement globally.

With Google, Samsung, and Sony all entering the AR glasses market, 2025 is poised to be an exciting year for AR technology. Competition in this sector is expected to intensify, making it an area to watch closely. Overall, the AI/AR glasses market in 2025 promises to be dynamic and filled with significant developments, offering users unique experiences.