Samsung’s Galaxy XR Headset Costs $1,700 Less Than Apple Vision Pro
▼ Summary
– Samsung and Google have partnered to launch the Galaxy XR, their first mixed reality headset powered by Android XR and Google’s Gemini assistant.
– The Galaxy XR is priced at $1,800 and is now available in the US and South Korea, positioning it between Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro in cost.
– The headset allows users to see their surroundings through pancake lenses and overlay virtual content, using hand input and eye tracking for navigation.
– It features a lighter, more plasticky build than the Vision Pro, with a tethered battery pack and a comfortable fit, though it can cause a sweaty brow during extended use.
– Battery life lasts 2 hours for general use or 2.5 hours for video, matching the original Vision Pro but falling short of the M5-updated version’s mixed-use performance.
Samsung’s new Galaxy XR headset enters the market at a compelling $1,800, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple’s premium Vision Pro while costing a substantial $1,700 less. This marks a significant re-entry into the mixed reality space for Samsung and Google, who have joined forces after a five-year hiatus from mobile virtual reality. Previously known as Project Moohan, the Galaxy XR is the inaugural device running on Android XR, a platform specifically engineered for smart glasses and headsets that integrates core Android and Google’s Gemini assistant.
The headset is now available for purchase in the United States and South Korea. While its price point sits notably higher than mainstream VR devices like the Meta Quest 3, it dramatically undercuts Apple’s offering, which starts at $3,499 and is receiving an update this week featuring the new M5 processor. For buyers preferring installment plans, Samsung offers financing at $149 per month over a 12-month period.
At a recent private media event in New York hosted by Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm, journalists had another opportunity to experience the device. The core experience remains largely unchanged from initial demonstrations held last year. The event primarily served to confirm the official product name and its final market price, two details that were previously undisclosed. The headset is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset.
Functionally, the Galaxy XR aims to deliver a comparable feature set to the Apple Vision Pro. Upon wearing the headset, users see their physical environment through high-quality pancake lenses, with the ability to overlay digital content seamlessly or immerse themselves in fully virtual worlds. The primary method of interaction is through hand tracking, eliminating the need for controllers, though these are available as an optional accessory. The system also employs sophisticated eye-tracking technology to determine user selection intent. A wide array of applications is accessible via the Google Play Store, with experiences optimized for the platform bearing a special “Made for XR” label.
From a materials perspective, the Samsung headset utilizes more plastic in its construction, which gives it a less premium tactile feel compared to the Vision Pro. During the demo, the tethered battery pack on one unit showed visible signs of wear, including fingerprint smudges. However, this construction choice contributes to a noticeably lighter overall weight, enhancing comfort during use. While long-term testing wasn’t possible, the headset felt comfortable for the duration of a 25-minute session, with the only notable issue being some forehead perspiration. The top section of the headset became warm, but the external battery pack remained relatively cool to the touch. The battery life is rated for approximately two hours of general use, extending to about two and a half hours when solely streaming video. This performance is on par with the first-generation Vision Pro, though Apple’s new M5-equipped model reportedly matches the 2.5-hour mark for mixed usage.
(Source: Wired)
