ByteDance is reportedly working on mixed reality goggles
It could offer an accessible alternative in a market that’s still figuring out what MR should look and feel like.
ByteDance might be best known for TikTok, but behind the scenes, it’s quietly positioning itself to compete in one of tech’s next big arenas: mixed reality. According to a new report from The Information, ByteDance—through its VR division Pico—is developing a pair of lightweight MR goggles designed to layer digital objects onto the real world.
Unlike the bulkier headsets, it is expected to be about the size of the Bigscreen Beyond VR headset, which weighs 0.28 pounds. A form factor that you might actually want to wear in public.
Additionally, the goggles will reportedly offload computing to a separate, pocketable device, which would help keep the headset itself light and comfortable. Internally, ByteDance is also working on custom chips designed to reduce lag by processing sensor data quickly.
This is key to making digital overlays feel responsive and natural. That kind of low-latency performance is crucial for convincing users that MR is more than a novelty.
While the project is still under wraps and many technical details remain unclear, reports suggest ByteDance is aiming for a device that mirrors Meta’s upcoming MR glasses, internally codenamed Phoenix (previously codenamed Puffin).
That’s a strategic move, as the competition in spatial computing intensifies. Apple has launched the Vision Pro, and companies like HTC and Sony continue refining XR products. The industry is also expected to grow at an unprecedented rate. Brainy Insights forecasts the mixed reality market to grow to USD 117.76 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 45.34% up from the $2.8 billion it was valued at in 2023.
If ByteDance succeeds, the goggles could mark a real shift for Pico, which has mostly stayed in the VR lane until now—remember the Pico 4 VR headset? This push into MR hardware, and possibly smart-glasses territory, signals a broader ambition to not just catch up to Meta but challenge it head-on.
It’s too early to know how far along ByteDance is or when the goggles might launch. But if the design and performance land where the company hopes, it could offer an accessible alternative in a market that’s still figuring out what MR should look and feel like.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
