A New Turning Point in Metaverse Infrastructure: Next-Generation Spatial Computing Technology to Transform the Industry by 2026
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The Dawn of the Spatial Computing Era: Innovation in Metaverse Infrastructure
In the first quarter of 2026, the global tech industry is reaching a new turning point with the rapid advancement of spatial computing technology. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, the global spatial computing device market reached $18 billion in 2025, a 340% increase from the previous year, and is projected to expand to $48 billion by 2026. This rapid growth is driven by the commercialization of next-generation devices such as Apple Inc.’s second-generation Vision Pro and Meta Platforms Inc.’s Orion AR Glasses.
Notably, spatial computing technology is leading a comprehensive shift in computing paradigms beyond simple VR/AR devices. According to IDC’s latest report, the spatial computing software and services market reached $23 billion by the fourth quarter of 2025, a figure 2.1 times the growth rate of the hardware market. This trend indicates that spatial computing is evolving from its initial hardware-centric stage to become a key technology driving digital transformation across the ecosystem. Industry experts refer to this as the “third computing revolution,” marking the beginning of a new computing era following PCs and mobile devices.
Key technologies driving the current spatial computing market include real-time 3D mapping, eye tracking, gesture recognition, and AI-based spatial understanding. NVIDIA Corporation’s Omniverse platform, for instance, surpassed 8.5 million monthly active users by the second half of 2025, establishing itself as the standard for enterprise spatial computing solutions. Meanwhile, Qualcomm Inc.’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform is becoming a core driver for next-generation AR/VR devices with 40% improved graphics processing performance and 35% reduced power consumption.
Strategic Positioning and Competitive Landscape of Global Companies
One of the most notable movements in the metaverse infrastructure market is Apple’s strategy to build a spatial computing ecosystem. Despite initial sluggish sales, the Vision Pro, launched in February 2024, has shown significant achievements in developing a developer ecosystem. According to Apple, native apps for visionOS surpassed 2,800 by December 2025, with 45% being enterprise solutions. Adoption rates in sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing are rising, with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine reporting a 68% improvement in learning outcomes after integrating Vision Pro into surgical simulation training.
In contrast, Meta is focusing on expanding the market with a more mass-market approach. Cumulative sales of Meta Quest 3 reached 18.5 million units by 2025, accounting for 78% of the global VR headset market. Of particular note is the anticipation surrounding the Orion AR Glasses, set for release in the second half of 2026. Industry insiders report that Orion will feature a lightweight design of 70 grams and an 8-hour battery life, with an initial price point around $1,500, significantly cheaper than Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro, positioning it favorably for entry into the consumer market.
Korean companies are also actively engaging in this field. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. unveiled its self-developed Exynos XR chipset in November 2025, marking its full-scale entry into the spatial computing market. This chipset demonstrates a 45% performance improvement in AI-based real-time rendering compared to existing products and will be equipped in Samsung’s first AR Glasses, slated for release in the first half of 2026. LG Electronics Inc. is focusing on the B2B market with a differentiated approach. LG’s UltraGear VR monitors captured a 23% market share in the enterprise VR display market by the fourth quarter of 2025, showing strength particularly in architectural design and medical imaging sectors.
Microsoft Corporation, despite discontinuing the HoloLens lineup, maintains its market influence with a software-centric strategy. The Microsoft Mesh platform was adopted by approximately 75,000 companies worldwide by 2025, holding a 70% market share in the remote collaboration solutions sector. Through integration with Teams, it supports the transition from traditional video conferencing to 3D spatial meetings, reportedly enhancing meeting engagement by 35%.
Other major players in the spatial computing market include China’s ByteDance subsidiary Pico and HTC. Pico ranked second in the Chinese VR market with a 34% share in 2025, particularly strong in educational content. HTC Corporation focuses on the premium market, maintaining a stable position in the enterprise market with the VIVE Pro 2 Business Edition. The competition among these companies is expanding beyond hardware performance to ecosystem building and content acquisition.
The core competitive elements of current spatial computing technology are minimizing latency and enhancing visual fidelity. To achieve the industry standard of motion-to-photon latency below 20ms, companies are dedicated to developing proprietary technologies. Apple’s R1 chip boasts an ultra-low latency of 12ms, leading the industry, while Meta’s next-generation chipset aims for a performance level of 15ms. This technological competition significantly improves user experience, overcoming the limitations of existing VR such as motion sickness and dizziness.
Market analysts predict that 2026 will be a turning point for the spatial computing market. According to Gartner’s latest report, 65% of Fortune 500 companies are expected to adopt at least one spatial computing solution by 2026. The establishment of remote work culture and the spread of digital twin technology are analyzed to accelerate this growth. Simultaneously, the proliferation of 5G and 6G networks is laying the technological foundation for overcoming device performance limitations through cloud-based rendering, offering more immersive experiences.
From an investment perspective, venture investment in spatial computing increased by 180% year-over-year to $12.5 billion in 2025. Of this, 48% was invested in software and platforms, 32% in hardware technology, and the remaining 20% in content creation tools. There is growing interest in the convergence of AI and spatial computing, with real-time 3D generative AI and natural language-based 3D interface technology emerging as major investment targets. These investment trends are expected to drive the rapid development and commercialization of spatial computing technology over the next 2-3 years.
The future of the spatial computing market is expected to extend beyond mere technological advancement to the construction of a new digital economic ecosystem. Considering the current pace of technological progress and market expansion, spatial computing is anticipated to begin establishing itself as a routine computing tool from the second half of 2026. Changes in user behavior, particularly among younger generations, and the acceleration of digital transformation by companies are supporting this shift. Over the coming years, technological innovation and market expansion in this field are expected to become new growth drivers for the entire IT industry, with strategic positioning and technological competitiveness of related companies being key factors determining long-term market dominance.
*This analysis is based on publicly available market data and industry reports, and additional due diligence and expert consultation are recommended for investment decisions.*
