Samsung looks to take on Apple Vision Pro with new Galaxy XR headset

[Samsung company office building at night]

After months of heavy speculation, Samsung (OTCPK:SSNLF [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SSNLF]) finally announced its competitor to Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AAPL]) Vision Pro mixed reality headset with its own Galaxy XR device.

The device, which is available tonight in the U.S. and Korea and sells for $1,800 — or nearly half the Vision Pro's $3,500 price tag — runs on Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GOOG]) (NASDAQ:GOOGL [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GOOGL]) Android XR operating system. Google and Samsung showed [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4385992-google-samsung-show-off-mixed-reality-headset-dev-kit-to-take-on-apple-meta] off a mixed reality headset developer kit in December 2024 that used the Android XR — or extended reality — operating system.

The headset also runs on Qualcomm's (NASDAQ:QCOM [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/QCOM]) Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform. Qualcomm, Google and Samsung coordinated to develop the mixed reality ecosystem.

Samsung did not say how many apps would be available for the Galaxy XR at the start, but noted that several Google apps, such as Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search, and Google Photos, are “optimized” for mixed reality. The lack of content for mixed reality headsets is something that Apple has dealt with, as the number of apps built for the Vision Pro badly lag those built for the iPhone and iPad.

DEVICE DETAILS

The Samsung Galaxy XR comes with an ultra-high-resolution Micro-OLED display to offer users, precise tracking and the ability to take and view 3D photos and videos, the company said in a statement.

“With Galaxy XR, Samsung is introducing a brand-new ecosystem of mobile devices,” said Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Built on Android XR, Galaxy XR expands the vision for mobile AI into a new frontier of immersive and meaningful possibilities, allowing XR to move from concept to everyday reality, for both the industry and users.”

Though no specifics were offered, Samsung described the device as “lightweight” and with a “balanced” design. Conversely, some reviews of the Apple Vision Pro have criticized its weight.

The Galaxy XR also comes with a detachable light shield that Samsung says will allow users to enjoy immersive experiences “for hours.”

In an effort to spur sales of the device, Samsung said early shoppers will receive the Explorer Pack if they buy the Galaxy XR before the end of the year. The Explorer Pack has more than $1,000 worth of benefits, including Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass. Samsung also said it is offering 12 and 24-month financing options for the Galaxy XR.

In addition to the headset, Samsung also showed off a new travel case and controller for the Galaxy XR, both of which retail for $249.99. In contrast, Apple's Vision Pro supports Sony's (SONY [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SONY]) PlayStation VR2 Sense controller.

Earlier this month, Apple unveiled [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4504298-apple-unveils-new-macbook-pro-ipad-pro-and-vision-pro-supercharged-with-m5-chip] a new version of the Vision Pro headset, powered by its M5 processor. The iPhone maker is reportedly working [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4501148-apple-tables-vision-pro-sequel-to-pursue-smart-glasses-report] on smart glasses as it looks to expand its presence in the wearable computing market.

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