Samsung Galaxy XR Everything You Need to Know After more than two years of hints, Samsung has finally unveiled its first extended reality headset, the Galaxy XR, developed in partnership with Google. Priced at $1,800, the headset is available for purchase now. The Galaxy XR is the first headset to run on the Android XR platform, which Google describes as being built for the Gemini AI era. This built-in AI assistant is a core feature, allowing it to see and hear your surroundings through the headset’s twelve cameras and six microphones. XR stands for extended reality, an umbrella term covering augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. This means the headset can overlay digital information onto your real-world view or completely immerse you in a virtual environment. You can create a custom workspace, turn your room into a private theater, or virtually visit international locations. What can you do with the Galaxy XR? You can watch YouTube videos from a library of 180 and 360 degree VR content or enjoy movies on a large, resizable screen via Google TV. The integrated Gemini AI can answer questions about what you are watching. Your photos and videos can be converted to 3D for a more immersive memory experience. Using Google Maps, you can explore the world with the Immersive View feature. Gemini can provide historical context for landmarks you virtually visit. The Circle to Search feature helps identify objects like plants or bugs in your immediate environment. For productivity, you can arrange multiple app windows around you, such as a web browser, documents, and a video conferencing app. If your virtual space becomes cluttered, you can ask Gemini to organize the windows. The headset also supports PC Link, allowing you to connect to your computer, keyboard, and mouse. The headset features two passthrough cameras, six world-facing tracking cameras, four eye-tracking cameras, and depth and flicker sensors. It also uses iris recognition for unlocking the device and entering passwords. A key advantage is app availability. Almost all apps from the Google Play Store will be available on the Galaxy XR from day one. This includes major streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max, as well as Google apps like Photos, Chrome, and YouTube. For gaming, you can access the full library of Android games or use the headset as a monitor for PC games via PC Link. In terms of comfort, early hands-on reports suggest the Galaxy XR is more comfortable than its main competitor, the Apple Vision Pro. It features a larger head cushion that better distributes weight, though some pressure is still felt during longer sessions. A simple strap with an adjustment knob makes it easy to put on and take off. How does it compare to the Apple Vision Pro? The Galaxy XR has a micro-OLED display with 29 million pixels and a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840, offering slightly more detail than the Vision Pro. It also covers 96 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, compared to Apple’s 92 percent. However, the Vision Pro has a higher 120Hz refresh rate versus the Galaxy XR’s 90Hz. The Galaxy XR is also lighter than the Vision Pro by 205 grams. On battery life, Samsung promises up to two hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video playback, which is about 30 minutes less than the latest Vision Pro model in both categories. The most significant difference is the price; at $1,800, the Galaxy XR costs considerably less than the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro. You can order the Galaxy XR directly from Samsung, which offers financing options. Key accessories like the Travel Case and a wireless controller are available, often at a discount when bundled. As an incentive for early buyers, Samsung is including an Explorer Pack for free until the end of the year. This pack includes a year of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, access to NBA League Pass, and several apps and games. Update: A typo in the price has been corrected to reflect the accurate $1,800 cost.
