Samsung Galaxy XR Debuts with Android XR and Gemini AI

Samsung’s first Android XR headset offers 27M pixels, Gemini AI, and Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 for $1,800 — powerful, sleek, and half the Vision Pro price.

Samsung's Galaxy XR headset just launched two days ago in the US and South Korea, priced at $1,800. That might sound steep until you realize Apple's Vision Pro costs $3,500. Samsung basically came in at half the price while packing competitive specs. This is the first headset running Android XR, which Google built specifically for mixed reality devices.​

The displays are where Samsung shows off their screen expertise. They've packed in micro-OLED panels delivering 3,552 by 3,840 pixels to each eye, totaling 27 million pixels. That's actually more than Apple's Vision Pro which has 23 million. The refresh rate hits 90Hz maximum, though it defaults to 72Hz. The field of view covers 109 degrees horizontally and 100 degrees vertically, giving you an expansive window into virtual worlds.​

What sets this apart from Meta's Quest headsets is Android XR. You can run regular Android apps on it, not just specialized VR apps. Want to watch YouTube, browse Chrome, or check Gmail while wearing it? You can. Developers can use Unity, OpenXR, and WebXR – tools they already know. That massive Android developer ecosystem can jump in without learning entirely new platforms.​

Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip powers the headset. It's 20 percent faster in CPU performance and 15 percent quicker on GPU compared to the regular XR2 Gen 2 found in Quest 3. Samsung paired it with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage with no expansion option. People testing it say the performance feels snappy and responsive.​

Samsung crammed 19 sensors into this thing. The 6.5MP camera shoots 3D photos and videos. Six world-facing cameras handle inside-out tracking without external sensors. Four eye-tracking cameras monitor where you look, enabling iris recognition for unlocking the headset. There's also a depth sensor, five IMUs, and a flicker sensor for better performance under artificial lighting.​

Weight distribution got serious attention. The main unit weighs 545 grams with the forehead cushion, while the separate battery pack adds 302 grams. Having the battery external reduces neck strain compared to everything sitting on your face. The headset supports interpupillary distance adjustment from 54mm to 70mm and includes support for optical inserts if you wear glasses.​

Battery life is realistic rather than impressive. Samsung claims up to 2.5 hours watching YouTube videos, but general use drops to about 2 hours. That matches Apple's Vision Pro performance. You can use it while charging, so longer sessions work if you stay plugged in. This isn't meant for walking around – it's designed for stationary use at home or offices.​

Hand tracking is the primary input method, but Samsung sells dedicated motion controllers separately for $250. These include dual joysticks, grips, triggers, and face buttons similar to Meta's Touch Plus controllers. Physical controllers matter for gaming where precise input beats hand gestures.​

Google's Gemini AI integration is built directly into the experience. You can circle real-world objects using Circle to Search and ask Gemini for information. Google Maps works on the headset for navigation. Google Photos adds depth to regular 2D photos, making them more immersive. This positions the device as more than just gaming hardware.​

Audio comes through dual two-way speakers with separate woofers and tweeters, plus a six-microphone array with beamforming. The headset supports Dolby Atmos and plays back up to 8K video at 60fps with HDR10 support. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.​

Samsung hasn't announced India availability yet. It's currently only in the US and South Korea. The company confirmed more XR devices are coming, including AI glasses, though no timeline was given.​

At $1,800, the Galaxy XR positions itself as a premium device costing significantly less than Apple's offering while providing comparable or better specs in several areas.