Samsung has officially entered the extended reality (XR) market with the introduction of its highly anticipated Galaxy XR headset, designed to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro but at nearly half the price. In partnership with Google and Qualcomm, Samsung seeks to transform the XR experience by merging advanced hardware with AI-powered software innovations. The Galaxy XR boasts a sleek design similar to the Vision Pro but introduces thoughtful enhancements for comfort and usability. The top of the headset features a raised contour, potentially facilitating longer wear. Like Apple’s device, Samsung’s headset incorporates an external battery pack connected via cable to ensure balanced weight distribution.
Notably, the Galaxy XR is lighter, weighing 545g compared to the Vision Pro’s 600g and significantly lighter than the 750g M5 Vision Pro. It includes a right-side touchpad for smooth UI navigation, volume controls, and access to Gemini AI. The adjustable rear strap with a precision dial and 19 embedded sensors enhances both comfort and performance. Visually, Samsung’s headset stands out as a sophisticated yet functional piece of technology, maintaining a stylish and user-centric design. The Galaxy XR is powered by Qualcomm’s XR2 Plus Gen 2 chipset, delivering 4K rendering per eye. Its dual Micro-OLED displays offer a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840 pixels, resulting in an impressive 27 million pixels—surpassing the Vision Pro’s 23 million.
The smaller pixel pitch ensures a sharper and more detailed visual experience. Although the Galaxy XR supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which is lower than the Vision Pro’s 120Hz, it compensates with 8K HDR video support, delivering vivid and realistic imagery. This combination of performance and clarity promises an immersive XR experience. Operating on Android XR, developed by Google, the Galaxy XR effortlessly supports Android applications, allowing users to stream sports, engage in VR gaming, or edit videos directly within the headset. A standout feature is the integration of Gemini AI, which includes tools like Circle to Search, enabling users to highlight real-world objects for immediate contextual information.
The device also supports Google Maps for spatial navigation and Google Photos for converting 2D media into immersive 3D visuals, blending practicality with next-gen interactivity. The external battery pack, weighing 302g, provides 2 hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video playback—slightly less than the Vision Pro’s runtime. However, both devices allow for continuous use while charging. Priced at $1,799 (approximately ₹1,57,800) for the 256GB variant, the Galaxy XR is nearly half the cost of the Apple Vision Pro, which starts at $3,499 (₹3,07,000) and goes up to $3,899 (₹3,42,000) for the 1TB model. Neither headset is currently available in India, but Samsung’s competitive pricing and cross-platform approach could significantly impact the premium XR market in the near future.
