Samsung’s XR Headset May Launch Next Month, Cheaper Than Apple Vision Pro
▼ Summary
– Samsung may launch its ‘Moohan’ mixed reality headset on October 21st/22nd to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro in the prosumer market.
– The reported launch schedule was adjusted from an earlier September date due to marketing strategy changes and final quality checks.
– The headset is expected to be priced between $1,800 and $2,900, positioning it as a lower-cost alternative to the $3,500 Vision Pro.
– Moohan will be the first headset running Google’s Android XR OS, providing access to a vast library of Android apps and native XR content.
– Key specifications include micro-OLED displays with 3,800 ppi density and a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, with an initial production target of 100,000 units.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated mixed reality headset, codenamed Project Moohan, as early as next month. A new report suggests the device will be positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Apple Vision Pro, potentially shaking up the emerging prosumer XR market. The launch is now reportedly scheduled for an online unveiling around October 21st, which would align with the morning of October 22nd in South Korea.
This timing represents a shift from earlier rumors that pointed to a September 29th announcement. The adjustment is attributed to final quality checks and an evolving marketing strategy within Samsung’s Mobile Experience division. While initial plans suggested a debut limited to the South Korean market, it remains unclear if the company will now opt for a simultaneous global release.
A key differentiator for the headset will be its price point. Industry sources indicate Moohan is expected to cost between 2.5 and 4 million South Korean won, translating to approximately $1,800 to $2,900. This strategic pricing places it squarely as a competitor designed to undercut the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro.
Technologically, the device is significant as the first to run on Google’s Android XR operating system. This positions it as a direct counter to Apple’s VisionOS, offering users access to a vast library of Android smartphone apps alongside native XR content. The platform also supports native streaming of PC VR games, a feature popularized by Meta’s Quest headsets. A major advantage over Meta’s Horizon OS is that Android XR does not require developers to manually port their existing Android applications.
The headset is anticipated to integrate advanced input methods, including voice, hand, and eye-tracking controls, and will likely feature Google’s multimodal AI. However, details regarding first-party motion controllers, which have been promised previously, are still awaited.
On the hardware front, Moohan is said to be equipped with micro-OLED displays from Samsung Display, boasting an impressive pixel density of 3,800 ppi. The device is expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, coupled with 16GB of RAM. Samsung has maintained secrecy around the full specifications since the project’s initial teaser.
In terms of market approach, Samsung seems to be adopting a cautious strategy. The company is allegedly planning an initial production run of only about 100,000 units, with future manufacturing targets to be adjusted based on early consumer demand and market reception.
(Source: Road to VR)
