After months of speculation, Samsung has finally announced its Galaxy XR headset to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. The headset runs on Google’s Android XR operating system and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform.
The Galaxy XR costs $1,800, almost half the price of the Vision Pro. Currently available in the US and South Korea. The headset provides up to 2 hours of normal use and up to 2.5 hours of video playback.
The headset’s micro-OLED display is 27 million pixels, 6 million more pixels than the Vision Pro, and has a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840. The refresh rate is 90Hz compared to the Vision Pro’s 120Hz. Galaxy XR is equipped with two high-resolution pass-through cameras, six globally facing tracking cameras, and four eye-tracking cameras.
The headset weighs 545g, while the latest Apple Vision Pro weighs around 750g to 800g.
“Galaxy XR’s combination of shape, advanced materials, and structural optimization of each component delivers the perfect balance between lightweight design and ruggedness for everyday use,” Samsung wrote in a blog post. “The headset’s ergonomically balanced frame distributes pressure across the forehead and back of the head, minimizing facial discomfort while providing stable support.”
Samsung says the headset features a number of XR-optimized experiences, including Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search, and Google Photos.
Users can ask Gemini to take them to locations on Google Maps while exploring the world in immersive 3D maps. On YouTube, users can ask Gemini to help them find the content they want to watch and learn more about the videos they’re watching. Users can also convert 2D images to 3D in Photos.
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In pass-through mode, users can look at the physical world around them and draw circles with their hands to retrieve information about what’s in front of them.
The headset allows users to multitask by opening multiple apps at any size, including browsers, documents, and music apps.
When it comes to entertainment, users can stream content on a 4K micro-OLED screen. Streaming services like Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock have rebuilt their apps for Android XR.
Those who purchase a Galaxy XR before the end of the year will receive the Explorer Pack, which comes with 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass. It also comes with a 3-month trial of YouTube TV for $1/month, access to the 2025-2026 season of NBA League Pass, NFL PRO ERA from Status Pro, and access to Project Pulsar from Adobe, Asteroid, and Calm.
The move comes after Apple announced last week the latest version of its Vision Pro headset, powered by the M5 chip, which replaces the current M2. The M5 chip boosts display rendering by 10% and supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz (up from 100Hz). This headset has 30 minutes more battery life than previous models, giving you 2.5 hours of normal use and 3 hours of video playback.
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