Former Apple engineer launches XR chip to challenge Vision Pro - The Indian Express

--- title: Former Apple engineer launches XR chip to challenge Vision Pro url: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/former-apple-engineer-launches-xr-chip-to-challenge-vision-pro-10405661/ hostname: indianexpress.com description: With the launch of the Jizhi G-X100, GravityXR is positioning itself as a formidable contender in the global mixed reality race. sitename: The Indian Express date: 2025-12-06 categories: ['technology'] tags: ['Former Apple engineer, Wang Chaohao, Chinese startup GravityXR, AI-powered chip, Apple Vision Pro challenge, mixed reality technology, extended reality division, Jizhi G-X100, Chinas first 5nm all-in-one XR chip, 5nm process technology, lightweight AI smart glasses, high-performance XR headsets, homegrown alternatives, premium extended reality hardware, spatial computing, real-world surroundings, virtual overlays, compact design, power-efficient, daily wearable devices, professional-grade XR systems, photon-to-photon latency, 9 milliseconds, 12 milliseconds, lower latency, motion lag, smoother immersion, VR, AR environments, global competition, faster mixed reality computing platforms, semiconductor industry, US technology reliance, Stanford University, HongShan, Gaorong Capital, Goertek, miHoYo, growing XR ecosystem, next-generation spatial computing hardware.', 'apple inc'] ---

A former Apple engineer is drawing significant attention in China after unveiling an AI-powered chip that could directly challenge one of Apple’s most advanced mixed reality technologies. Wang Chaohao, who previously worked in Apple’s extended reality division, now leads the Chinese startup GravityXR, which has just unveiled a chip designed to compete with the Apple Vision Pro.

GravityXR’s latest creation, the Jizhi G-X100, is being promoted as China’s first all-in-one mixed reality chip built on cutting-edge 5nm process technology. The chip is designed for both lightweight AI smart glasses and high-performance XR headsets, signalling China’s growing drive to develop homegrown alternatives to premium extended reality hardware currently dominated by Apple.

According to the company, the G-X100 enables advanced spatial computing—allowing devices to read, analyse and blend real-world surroundings with virtual overlays. Its compact, power-efficient design makes it suitable for daily wearable devices and professional-grade XR systems.

One of GravityXR’s boldest claims is that the G-X100 can achieve a photon-to-photon latency of just 9 milliseconds. By comparison, Apple’s Vision Pro registers around 12 milliseconds. That difference, while small on paper, is significant in practice: lower latency reduces motion lag and creates smoother, more realistic immersion in VR and AR environments.

This performance milestone puts GravityXR as a serious contender in the global competition to produce faster, more responsive mixed reality computing platforms.

Wang Chaohao’s transition from an Apple engineer to the founder of a rival XR startup reflects a broader trend in China’s tech landscape, where the country is investing resources into strengthening its semiconductor and XR industries, aiming to reduce reliance on US technology.

Chaohao’s academic credentials from Stanford University and hands-on experience at Apple bring substantial weight to GravityXR’s ambitions. The startup has already attracted major investment from firms, including HongShan (formerly Sequoia China), Gaorong Capital, manufacturing leader Goertek, and popular game developer miHoYo—underscoring confidence in China’s growing XR ecosystem.

With the launch of the Jizhi G-X100, GravityXR is positioning itself as a new challenger in the global mixed reality race—and potentially one of the first Chinese companies capable of rivalling Apple in next-generation spatial computing hardware.