Samsung Galaxy XR: Premium headset at half the price of Apple Vision Pro

Contents

Ten months after the announcement of Android XR and "Project Moohan", Samsung is now announcing the name, availability, and price of its first mixed reality headset device. The headset is called Samsung Galaxy XR and is available immediately in the USA and South Korea for $1799. This makes the Samsung headset cost about half as much as the Apple Vision Pro, which it is technically largely on par with.

The design and chip were already known: The Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 is a higher-clocked version of the processor that powers the Meta Quest 3, but is less powerful than the M2 and M5 chips that work in the original and updated Apple Vision Pro. With the official unveiling of the device, the remaining specifications are now also known.

The OLED microdisplay has a resolution of 3552 × 3840 pixels per eye, resulting in a total of approximately 27 million pixels. For comparison: Apple Vision Pro has 23 million pixels, Meta Quest 3 has 9 million pixels. The display's color coverage is also higher at 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space compared to 92 percent. However, the supported refresh rate is lower: the Samsung Galaxy XR runs at 72 Hz by default but supports up to 90 Hz. The M5 version of the Apple Vision Pro, on the other hand, can display up to 120 Hz. The field of view, at 109 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical, is on par with the Meta Quest 3 and is therefore wider vertically than that of the Vision Pro. Prescription lens inserts are sold separately, as with Apple Vision Pro.

In terms of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy XR and the Apple Vision Pro are on par with 16 GB each. While Apple offers 256, 512, or 1 TB of storage as options, Samsung's headset is only delivered with 256 GB.

Lighter than Apple Vision Pro

The sensor technology of both devices is almost identical: Like Apple Vision Pro, the Samsung Galaxy XR has six cameras for tracking spatial position and hands, four cameras for eye tracking, and two 6.5 MP cameras for passthrough. With the latter, photos and videos with stereoscopic depth can be captured, as with Apple Vision.

In addition, the headset has six microphones and a depth sensor. While Apple's headset uses a LiDAR sensor, it is not yet known what type of depth sensor is used in Samsung's headset. Both headsets feature iris recognition for unlocking the device and app purchases. In terms of supported wireless standards, the Samsung Galaxy XR has a slight edge: it offers Wi-Fi 7 instead of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 instead of 5.3.

Visually, the Samsung Galaxy XR is a mix of Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest Pro: The visor is modeled after Apple's design, while the forehead pad and rigid head strap with rear support and adjustment dial are reminiscent of Meta's device. Thanks to the forehead pad, the light seal can be removed and the device can be used with open peripherals, which is particularly advantageous for mixed reality applications.

The Samsung Galaxy XR appears less premium than the Apple Vision Pro due to the use of plastic, but it is lighter: the M5 version of the Apple Vision Pro with improved headband weighs between 750 and 800 grams, depending on the light seal and headband. Samsung states a weight of 545 grams, not including the optional light seal. Both devices are powered by a wired external battery, which weighs 302 grams for Samsung and 353 grams for Apple. Battery life is around two hours in mixed use and about two and a half hours for video playback. The Apple Vision Pro lasts about 30 minutes longer in both scenarios. Both headsets can also be used while charging.

Controllers sold separately

For input methods, Samsung follows Apple's lead: The headset is operated via the proven combination of gaze and hand tracking, as well as voice interaction with Google's AI assistant Gemini. Controllers are sold separately and cost $249. However, headset buyers receive a 30 percent discount on accessories, bringing the price down to $175.

Android XR is integrated into the Android ecosystem, allowing all Android apps to run as 2D applications on the Samsung Galaxy XR. Additionally, there are native versions of Google apps like Chrome, Maps, and YouTube, as well as Samsung TV Plus and Samsung Gallery, optimized for Android XR. Samsung and Google are also working with partners like MLB, Adobe, Calm, Netflix, and Amaze VR on further native apps. It is still unclear how deeply Galaxy XR is integrated into Samsung's hardware ecosystem and how it interacts with other Galaxy products from the manufacturer. Samsung has also not yet commented on possible PC connectivity for productivity applications or PC VR games.

AI plays a central role: With Galaxy XR, Samsung, and Google aim to demonstrate how everyday apps, multimodal AI, and mixed reality can be combined. The headset uses Google Gemini as the central interface. For example, users can explore immersive 3D maps with Google Maps, be guided through cities by Gemini, and receive personal recommendations for restaurants and attractions. The real environment remains visible via the passthrough mode. If desired, objects in Gemini's field of view can be analyzed and looked up online with a simple hand gesture. VR games also benefit from AI integration: Gemini provides real-time tips, coaching, and context for gameplay.

Two other use cases for the mixed reality headset are clearly inspired by Apple's Vision Pro: users can watch movies and series in a high-resolution virtual home theater, and their photos and videos can be automatically given a depth effect by AI. Apple Vision Pro currently only supports this for photos.

Smart glasses are the real goal

For Samsung and Google, Galaxy XR marks the beginning of a new, mobile Android ecosystem that is intended to cover a wide range of form factors: from mixed reality headsets to AI glasses. Android XR is designed to scale with the performance of the hardware.

In the spring, Google announced the first smart glasses based on Android XR and named eyewear manufacturers Warby Parker and Gentle Monster as partners. It is now reported that Samsung is developing the smart glasses together with these two companies and with Google's support. Sony, Xreal, and Lynx are also working on Android XR devices, although they have not yet been unveiled.

For Google itself, the focus, unsurprisingly, is on AI functions. "Android XR is the first Android platform designed from the ground up for the Gemini era," says Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, on the occasion of the announcement. Through the deep integration of Gemini, Galaxy XR is intended to feel less like a tool and more like a new type of AI companion that accompanies and supports users through everyday life, both visually and audibly.

A vision that will only unfold its full potential with smart glasses and AR glasses, and ultimately represents the actual goal, as this form factor is significantly more promising for success than bulky headsets. Sales expectations for Samsung Galaxy XR are likely to be modest accordingly: Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S are many times cheaper than Samsung's and Apple's headsets, and even they have only sold moderately so far.

(vbr)