Metaverse 2.0 and Spatial Computing: A New Turning Point in the Mixed Reality Industry Post-Apple Vision Pro Launch
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The Dawn of the Spatial Computing Era: From Metaverse to Mixed Reality
As of late 2025, the mixed reality industry is moving beyond the excessive expectations and disappointments of Metaverse 1.0 into a phase of tangible value creation. Following the launch of Apple’s Vision Pro, headquartered in Cupertino, California, USA, the industry has been transitioning from simple virtual reality experiences to a new paradigm known as ‘Spatial Computing.’ According to market research firm IDC, global shipments of AR/VR/MR headsets in 2025 are expected to increase by 31.5% year-over-year to 14.3 million units, with mixed reality devices accounting for 23%, a significant increase from 12% in 2024.
Despite its high price of $3,499, Apple’s Vision Pro sold approximately 500,000 units in its first year, demonstrating the potential of the premium mixed reality market. More importantly, Apple’s entry has accelerated the pace of technological development among competitors. Meta, based in Menlo Park, California, USA, launched the Quest 4 in October 2025, significantly enhancing its mixed reality capabilities, while Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, has deepened its enterprise-focused strategy for HoloLens. Amid this competitive landscape, the average selling price of mixed reality devices decreased from $1,850 in 2024 to $1,620 in 2025, laying the groundwork for broader adoption.
Notably, Korean companies are actively participating. Samsung Electronics, based in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, unveiled a prototype of a mixed reality headset developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm in the first half of 2025, aiming for a 2026 release. LG Display, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is leading in micro OLED display technology, supplying key components to major companies like Apple and Meta. According to industry insiders, LG Display’s micro OLEDs deliver refresh rates above 90Hz at 4K resolution, with response times 100 times faster than traditional LCDs.
The evolution of the metaverse ecosystem is also notably shifting. While the early metaverse focused on gaming and social media, it is now rapidly expanding into practical applications such as remote collaboration, digital twins, and educational training. A recent Gartner report indicates that the enterprise metaverse solutions market size reached $34 billion in 2025, a 78% increase from the previous year, with manufacturing and healthcare sectors accounting for 32% and 28%, respectively. Particularly, industrial metaverse solutions combined with digital twin technology are attracting corporate investments due to proven productivity improvements and cost savings.
The Emergence of Technological Convergence and New Business Models
The most significant change in the mixed reality industry in 2025 is its deep integration with artificial intelligence. NVIDIA’s Omniverse platform, based in Santa Clara, California, USA, has significantly enhanced the realism of metaverse environments through real-time AI rendering and physical simulations. Digital twin projects utilizing Omniverse have improved production efficiency by 17% at BMW’s Munich plant, with over 500 manufacturers worldwide adopting similar solutions. According to NVIDIA’s Q3 2025 earnings report, Omniverse-related revenue increased by 156% year-over-year to $2.8 billion.
The combination of AI and the metaverse is also bringing innovation in providing personalized experiences. Meta’s latest AI avatar system enables more natural interactions by analyzing users’ facial expressions, voices, and gestures in real-time. Data released by Meta shows that users utilizing AI-based avatars experienced a 43% increase in average session time, with satisfaction scores in business meetings rising by 1.8 points to 7.2 out of 10 compared to video conferencing. Based on these achievements, Meta invested $18 billion in its Reality Labs division in 2025, a 15% increase from the previous year.
Meanwhile, cloud-based metaverse services are rapidly growing. Microsoft’s Mesh platform, integrated with Teams, is gaining traction in the enterprise market, with 25,000 companies worldwide using it as of 2025. In particular, immersive learning programs using Mesh in remote education have shown a 34% improvement in learning outcomes compared to traditional online lectures. Microsoft aims to triple its Mesh-related revenue to $9 billion by 2026 based on these results.
In South Korea, SK Telecom, headquartered in Seoul, is establishing a unique positioning with its metaverse service ‘Jump VR,’ combined with a 5G network. Jump VR leverages ultra-low latency 5G networks to provide high-quality metaverse content through cloud rendering, allowing users to enjoy premium experiences even on relatively low-spec devices. According to SK Telecom, Jump VR’s monthly active users surpassed 1.2 million by the end of 2025, with over 60% utilizing educational and work-related content.
The integration of blockchain and NFT technologies is also providing new economic models within the metaverse ecosystem. Virtual real estate, digital assets, and the creator economy are beginning to generate real economic value, with global digital asset transactions within the metaverse estimated to reach approximately $18 billion in 2025. As companies expand branding and marketing activities in the metaverse space, the virtual advertising market is also experiencing rapid growth. According to digital marketing research firm eMarketer, metaverse advertising spending reached $3.2 billion in 2025, an 89% increase from the previous year.
However, alongside this growth, technical and social challenges are also emerging. Concerns about user privacy, digital addiction, and cybercrime are rising, prompting active regulatory movements by governments worldwide. The European Union implemented the ‘Metaverse Services Act’ in the first half of 2025, while the United States is reviewing monopoly practices and user protection measures on metaverse platforms, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). South Korea is also working on establishing ‘Metaverse Ethics Guidelines’ and revising related legislation through the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Future Outlook and Investment Opportunities
The outlook for the mixed reality industry heading into 2026 is generally positive. Market research firm PwC predicts that the global metaverse market size will reach $235 billion in 2026, a 30.6% increase from $180 billion in 2025. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to show particularly strong growth, with the metaverse market in this region, led by South Korea, Japan, and China, projected to grow at an annual rate of over 35%.
Technologically, advancements in next-generation display technology and haptic feedback are expected to further enhance user experiences. Apple’s next-generation Vision Pro, currently in development, is anticipated to support 8K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, with a price expected to be around $1,700, half of the current level. Meta also plans to introduce some brain-computer interface (BCI) technology in the Quest Pro 2, scheduled for release in 2026, allowing users to manipulate virtual objects with their thoughts.
From an investment perspective, stocks of companies related to mixed reality showed significant volatility throughout 2025. Apple’s stock initially fell by 12% due to concerns over Vision Pro’s sales performance but ended the year up 8% due to the expansion of the enterprise market and news of next-generation product development. Despite ongoing losses in its Reality Labs division, Meta’s stock rose by 23% annually, driven by increased metaverse advertising revenue and AI integration achievements. NVIDIA benefited the most from the simultaneous growth of the metaverse and AI markets, with its stock surging by 67% annually.
Korean companies are also playing a crucial role in the global mixed reality supply chain, enhancing their investment appeal. Samsung Electronics is benefiting from increased demand for metaverse-related chips in its semiconductor division, alongside its development of its own mixed reality devices. Samsung’s LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.0 storage have become essential components for high-performance mixed reality devices, with related sales estimated to have increased by 45% year-over-year in 2025. LG Display has established a stable revenue base by securing long-term supply contracts with major clients like Apple and Meta, leveraging its micro OLED technology.
Key investment points to watch in the future include the growth of metaverse infrastructure and content ecosystems. Investments in infrastructure technologies supporting metaverse services, such as 5G/6G networks, edge computing, and cloud rendering, are expected to expand. Additionally, startups with new business models, such as metaverse content creation tools and platforms, digital asset exchanges, and virtual economy services, are emerging as major investment targets. According to venture capital research firm CB Insights, global investment in metaverse-related startups reached $8.9 billion in 2025, with 40% concentrated in the Asia region.
Ultimately, 2025 marked a turning point where the metaverse transitioned from a speculative bubble to a practical technology, with widespread adoption and industrial application expected to accelerate from 2026 onwards. As technological advancements in spatial computing, AI integration, and digital twins form a new economic ecosystem, long-term growth opportunities are opening up for related companies and investors.
*This analysis is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute a recommendation or guarantee of specific investments. Investment decisions should be made based on individual judgment and responsibility.*
