Samsung Enters a New Reality: $1,800 XR Headset Takes Vision Beyond Apple

Image Source: India Today

Samsung has officially launched its Galaxy XR headset for $1,800, directly challenging Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro. Co-developed with Google and Qualcomm, the mixed-reality headset merges AI, Android XR, and immersive experiences to offer a flexible, lighter, and more affordable alternative for consumers entering the extended reality (XR) ecosystem.

Samsung has positioned itself as a powerful rival in the mixed-reality battleground with the launch of Galaxy XR—its first extended reality headset built in partnership with Google and Qualcomm. Priced at half of Apple’s Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR is set to democratize premium XR experiences, blending virtual and augmented realities with artificial intelligence.

Key Highlights

Price and Availability: Galaxy XR debuts in the U.S. and South Korea this week at a launch price of $1,800, with global rollout expected later this year. It comes in a single 256GB variant bundled with a year of YouTube Premium and advanced features of Google Gemini AI.

Hardware and Design: The headset features dual 3,552x3,840 Micro-OLED displays with over 27 million pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate, and Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. It weighs 545 grams—lighter than Apple’s Vision Pro (750g)—and includes a curved glass front, tethered battery pack, and adjustable ergonomics for long-hour use.

Performance and Battery: Powered by Android XR, Galaxy XR runs both native XR apps and standard Android apps. Its USB-C battery supports up to 2.5 hours of playback, extendable during charging. The headset’s 16GB RAM enhances multitasking, while dedicated motion controllers (sold separately) offer greater immersion for gaming and enterprise applications.

Immersive Features: Equipped with six tracking cameras, four eye-tracking sensors, and two pass-through cameras, Galaxy XR allows seamless switching between VR and mixed-reality modes. Users can interact through hand gestures, eye movement, or voice commands, creating a nearly latency-free immersive environment.

Samsung–Google Vision: According to Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi, the Galaxy XR is the “beginning of a new AI-native device ecosystem.” Google’s Sameer Samat confirmed Android XR as “the first major platform of the Gemini era,” bridging mobile AI with visual computing experiences.

Competition and Outlook: While Apple leads the premium segment with Vision Pro’s ultra-HD optics and ecosystem synergy, Samsung’s $1,800 price point is seen as the category’s first real mass-market disruptor. The headset aims to attract creators, gamers, and enterprise users seeking affordability without compromise.

A New Era for Mixed Reality

The Galaxy XR cements Samsung’s reentry into head-worn computing, pairing AI and immersive vision to redefine everyday experiences. With Google’s software muscle and Qualcomm’s performance backbone, the headset opens the door to a democratized future of spatial computing.

Sources: Indian Express, TechCrunch, CNBC

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