After months of rumors, Samsung has officially introduced its Galaxy XR headset, positioning it as a competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro. The device operates on Google’s Android XR OS and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset.
Priced at $1,800, the Galaxy XR is nearly half as expensive as the Vision Pro. It is currently available in both the U.S. and South Korea. The headset delivers up to two hours of standard use and up to two and a half hours when watching videos.
The micro OLED screen in the headset boasts 27 million pixels—six million more than the Vision Pro—and a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840. Its refresh rate is 90Hz, while the Vision Pro offers 120Hz. The Galaxy XR is equipped with two high-definition pass-through cameras, six external tracking cameras, and four cameras for eye tracking.
Weighing in at 545 grams, the Galaxy XR is lighter than the latest Apple Vision Pro, which comes in at about 750g to 800g.
Image Credits:Samsung “By combining its unique form, innovative materials, and the optimized structure of each part, Galaxy XR strikes a perfect balance between being lightweight and sturdy for everyday use,” Samsung shared in a blog post. “Its ergonomically designed frame spreads pressure across the forehead and back of the head, reducing facial strain and ensuring stable support.”
According to Samsung, the headset supports a variety of XR-optimized experiences, including Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search, and Google Photos.
With Gemini, users can ask for directions in Google Maps while exploring immersive 3D environments. On YouTube, Gemini can help users discover videos and provide more information about what they’re watching. In Google Photos, users are able to transform 2D images into 3D.
When using pass-through mode, users can view their surroundings and use a hand gesture to draw a circle, instantly searching for information about objects in their environment.
Image Credits:Google The headset allows users to multitask by opening several apps at once, such as a browser, documents, and a music player, and resizing them as needed.
For entertainment, users can stream on a 4K Micro-OLED display. Streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock have updated their apps to work with Android XR.
Customers who buy the Galaxy XR before the year ends will receive an Explorer Pack, which includes a year of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass. The bundle also features a $1 per month trial of YouTube TV for three months, access to the NBA League Pass for the 2025-2026 season, and entry to Status Pro’s NFL PRO ERA, Adobe’s Project Pulsar, Asteroid, and Calm.
This launch follows Apple’s recent announcement of its updated Vision Pro headset, now powered by the M5 chip, replacing the previous M2. The new chip improves display performance by 10% and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz, up from 100Hz. The updated headset also offers an extra 30 minutes of battery life, providing two and a half hours of typical use and up to three hours for video playback.
