Samsung today announced the launch of the Galaxy XR , a new mixed reality headset that will compete with the Apple Vision Pro. Priced at $1,800 , the Galaxy XR is $1,700 cheaper than the new M5 Vision Pro, but it's significantly more expensive than Meta's Quest VR devices.
Samsung says its headset was created with “human-centric design” that’s meant to provide long-lasting comfort. The headset features a frame design that supposedly distributes pressure across the forehead and back of the head, providing support and minimizing facial discomfort. A detachable light provides deeper immersion by blocking out light, but the headset can also be used without it. The device weighs 545 grams with the forehead cushion, so it’s lighter than the Vision Pro.
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The most important features of the Galaxy XR
Samsung has equipped it with displays micro-OLED with a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840 and a horizontal field of view of 109 degrees. There are a total of 29 million pixels with a 6.3-micron pixel pitch. The Galaxy XR comes with a default refresh rate of 72Hz, but there are also 60Hz and 90Hz options available. Built-in cameras and sensors add support for hand and eye tracking.
The XR is powered by a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip from Qualcomm. There are two high-resolution cameras for passthrough, six -view cameras world, four eye-tracking cameras with iris recognition (for authentication), and a 6.5-megapixel camera for capturing 3D photos and videos. The headset also includes five Inertial Measurement Units, a depth sensor, and a flicker sensor. Samsung sells optical inserts for vision correction separately.
Other features include two 2-way speakers and a six-microphone array, Wi-Fi 7 support, Bluetooth 5.4 integration, 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Like the Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR has a separate battery with a two-hour runtime (2.5 hours for video viewing), but the headset can also be used while the battery is charging.
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The Galaxy XR headset runs the Android XR, which Samsung developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm. Gemini AI is built into the system so it can understand the user's environment with the Galaxy XR's cameras and microphones. According to Samsung, Gemini on the Galaxy XR is designed to feel like a "new type of AI companion."
Here are some of the things Samsung says the headset can do:
- Gemini on Google Maps can be used to navigate to any location, and users can request personalized suggestions for nearby places.
- Users can use natural language to ask Gemini to find the content they want to watch on YouTube and get more information about the video they are watching.
- With passthrough, users can view the physical world and draw a circle with their hand to search for information about any object in their field of view.
- photos and videos can be self-spatialized to add depth and dimension, similar to Apple's spatialized photos and videos.
- Shows can be streamed to a 4K screen that gives the feel of a personal theater.
- Fans can watch multiple matches simultaneously.
- With XR games, Gemini offers real-time guidance and advice.
Samsung is working on multiple forms of future products, including AI glasses. Along with Google, Samsung has partnered with Warby Parker on its future smart glasses products and is also working with South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster.
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The Galaxy XR is available for purchase in the U.S. starting today from Samsung’s website and Samsung Experience Stores. It is priced at $1,799.99.
Early adopters will get 12 months of access to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass. Samsung is also selling a Galaxy XR carrying case and a Galaxy XR controller for $250 each.
