Samsung has officially entered the extended reality (XR) race with the launch of its Galaxy XR headset, a premium mixed-reality device designed to rival Apple’s Vision Pro. The headset, which runs on Google’s new Android XR operating system and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform, marks Samsung’s most ambitious step yet into immersive computing.
The Galaxy XR is priced at $1,800, nearly half the cost of Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro. It is available now in the U.S. and South Korea, with global availability expected to follow. Samsung promises up to two hours of general use and two and a half hours of video playback on a single charge.
A Lighter, Sharper, and More Affordable Competitor
Equipped with micro OLED displays featuring 27 million pixels—six million more than Apple’s Vision Pro—the Galaxy XR delivers a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840 and a 90Hz refresh rate. While it falls short of Apple’s 120Hz refresh rate, it gains an edge in weight and ergonomics. At 545g, Samsung’s headset is significantly lighter than Apple’s Vision Pro, which weighs between 750g and 800g.
Samsung says its engineers prioritized comfort and durability.
“Through a combination of its shape, advanced materials and the structural optimization of each component, Galaxy XR achieves an optimal balance between lightweight design and robustness for daily use,” the company wrote in a blog post.
The headset also includes two high-resolution pass-through cameras, six world-facing tracking cameras, and four eye-tracking cameras, enabling precise motion detection and spatial awareness.
Powered by Google and AI
Samsung’s partnership with Google brings familiar tools into XR. Apps such as Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search, and Google Photos have been redesigned for immersive interaction. Users can ask Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, to navigate routes in 3D Maps, find videos on YouTube, or convert 2D photos into 3D visuals.
In pass-through mode, users can see the real world and draw a circle with their hand to search for information about physical objects around them — a futuristic blend of gesture control and AI-assisted search.
Entertainment and Multitasking in Mixed Reality
The Galaxy XR allows multitasking across multiple floating windows, letting users run a web browser, documents, and a music app simultaneously. For entertainment, the 4K Micro-OLED display supports optimized streaming apps such as Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock, all reworked for Android XR.
Early buyers will receive a Galaxy XR Explorer Pack, which includes:
- 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass
- 3-month trial of YouTube TV ($1/month)
- Access to NBA League Pass (2025–2026 season)
- Exclusive apps like Adobe’s Project Pulsar, NFL PRO ERA, and Calm
A New Front in the XR Wars
Samsung’s launch comes just a week after Apple unveiled the new Vision Pro, powered by its M5 chip. Apple’s upgraded headset boasts a 10% improvement in display rendering and extended battery life, offering up to three hours of video playback.
With Galaxy XR’s lighter build, Android ecosystem, and lower price tag, Samsung is betting on accessibility and practicality to win over users — especially those seeking a high-end XR experience without Apple’s premium cost.
As the battle for the future of mixed reality intensifies, the Galaxy XR represents Samsung’s strongest challenge yet to Apple’s dominance in the space.
