PICO has moved the Chinese launch of Space Pro (codenamed ‘Project Swan’) from 2 September to Q4 after deciding on a major software upgrade during final testing. It has not named the feature, while Samsung Galaxy XR already offers Gemini and enterprise controls and XREAL Aura is due in the same quarter with Android XR.
PICO has delayed the Chinese launch of Space Pro from 2 September to the fourth quarter of 2026 after deciding to make a major software upgrade during final testing.
The company says the headset’s hardware and software had already reached a high level of completion. It then found an “exciting new opportunity” that it wants to include in the first release.
PICO has not said what the feature is or given a replacement date. When Space Pro reaches the market, PICO will have to sell the software as hard as the hardware. Samsung is already selling Galaxy XR with Gemini and Google Play, and XREAL expects Aura to launch this autumn with Android XR.
PICO’s Full Q4 Statement
PICO announced on 19 August that Space Pro would be unveiled in Beijing on 2 September. A subsequent postponement notice on its Bilibili account was removed, while the original date was still visible on PICO’s global LinkedIn page when checked on 25 August.
The postponement itself is confirmed. PICO’s verified Weibo account still carries the Q4 announcement and the company’s explanation.
PICO said in the statement, translated from Chinese by The XR Beat:
“In recent months, the hardware and software for PICO Space Pro have reached a high level of completion. However, during the final stage of experience testing, we discovered an exciting new opportunity and want to bring it to users in the first release.
“For this reason, we have decided to spend more time making a major upgrade to the software experience. We hope this additional investment will ultimately deliver a better product experience and bring some pleasant surprises.
“We sincerely apologise for this adjustment to the launch timetable and for the wait it entails. We thank everyone for their continued attention and patience.”
PICO also said it would expand its early-access programme during the additional development period and invite more people to test Space Pro before release.
The company has not said whether Q4 refers to another launch event, the opening of orders, first deliveries or wider availability. The September event concerned China. PICO previously gave Project Swan a global late-2026 target, although it has not publicly confirmed that Space Pro is the commercial name for Project Swan.
PICO OS 6 Puts the Delay in Context
PICO has spent two years rebuilding its operating system around a Spatial Engine that moves rendering to the system level. Its Project Swan and PICO OS 6 preview showed two-dimensional apps, three-dimensional objects, virtual environments and the physical world running together.
The company also demonstrated spatial multitasking with 3D models, avatars, browser windows and notes in the same environment. Its current Spatial SDK remains labelled OS 6-Preview and lists support for Project Swan.
Any late change to the system-level experience could affect developer APIs, input, multitasking and the applications available on launch day. PICO’s statement supports a software explanation and makes no reference to a hardware fault or component problem.
An AI assistant is one possibility. PICO is owned by ByteDance, Samsung already uses Gemini in Galaxy XR and XREAL has confirmed Gemini for Aura. PICO has not announced an assistant for Space Pro or linked the delay to AI. Work on spatial multitasking, avatars, input, developer tools or launch applications would also fit the wording of its statement.
Samsung Galaxy XR Already Has Gemini and Enterprise Controls
Samsung Galaxy XR has been on sale since October 2025 and reached the UK in July 2026 at £1,699. It combines Android XR with Gemini, Google Play and voice, hand and eye input.
Samsung has continued adding software since launch. As The XR Beat reported in April, Galaxy XR now supports Android Enterprise, managed app installation, zero-touch enrolment, password and network policies, remote lock and wipe, and up to five years of security updates.
PICO already sells enterprise headsets and provides business software. It has not yet explained how Space Pro will be enrolled, managed or supported. Business buyers will need details on PICO Business Suite, third-party management systems, shared-device controls and the security-support period.
XREAL Aura Is Due in the Same Quarter
XREAL expects Aura to launch this autumn, placing it in roughly the same period as Space Pro. The products take different approaches: Space Pro is an enclosed mixed reality headset, while Aura uses optical see-through glasses connected to a compute puck.
The XR Beat’s earlier Aura analysis considered its potential for portable workspaces, training previews, design review and field support. XREAL has since confirmed a 70-degree display, Gemini, a dual-chip design and a maximum base-model price of $1,500 before tax.
XREAL says Aura will have access to millions of Google Play apps and more than 100 applications made for XR. Qualcomm says the Snapdragon Reality Elite platform inside Aura provides 48 TOPS of AI processing and can run large language and vision models on the device.
PICO can take a different hardware route. Its software still needs a clear advantage over existing Quest applications, Galaxy XR’s Android ecosystem and Aura’s portable design.
Meta Reports Lower Quest Sales as Apple Cuts Vision Pro Teams
Meta’s latest results showed its two main XR hardware lines moving in different directions. Reality Labs revenue rose 16% to $431 million in Q2 as growth from AI glasses outweighed lower Quest headset sales. Meta did not disclose Quest units or the size of the decline, so the figures cover one quarter rather than a settled trend.
The XR Beat’s Meta earnings analysis found that AI glasses fit into familiar frames and everyday routines, while a headset asks users to make time for an immersive session.
Apple has also cut around 100 roles from Vision Pro teams, including consumer-facing gaming and immersive video work. Enterprise APIs, device management and business deployment remain active.
PICO will enter a market where buyers have several mature hardware choices and fewer reasons to accept an unfinished platform. Space Pro still lacks a price, named launch applications, an enterprise-management offer and confirmed availability outside China.
The Q4 delay gives PICO more time to finish the feature and test it with a larger group. It also leaves Samsung adding to a product already on sale and XREAL preparing Aura for the same launch window. PICO now needs to explain what changed, who can buy Space Pro and why the software is worth the wait.
The XR Beat asked PICO to clarify the timing, the software upgrade, global plans and whether Space Pro is Project Swan. PICO had not replied by publication.
