Samsung Galaxy XR: A Bold Entry Into the Mixed Reality Space

After months of anticipation, Samsung has officially unveiled Galaxy XR, its next-generation mixed reality headset that marks the company’s re-entry into the immersive tech market. Previously known under the codename Project Moohan, the Galaxy XR arrives as a direct rival to Apple’s Vision Pro, aiming to offer a premium XR experience within the Android ecosystem.

A Collaboration That Sets the Tone

Developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm, Galaxy XR is the first device to run on Android XR, Google’s operating system for extended reality. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, the headset bridges smartphone-level performance with immersive computing. The platform brings access to both standard Android mobile applications and XR-optimized apps, offering users flexibility right out of the box.

Design and Display

Samsung has equipped the Galaxy XR with dual Micro-OLED displays, each delivering a resolution of 3,552 × 3,840 pixels and supporting refresh rates up to 90Hz. Combined, they offer nearly 29 million pixels with rich DCI-P3 color coverage and a wide 109° field of view, ensuring detailed visuals and depth accuracy.

Despite its powerful hardware, Samsung has opted for a tethered battery design to balance weight and longevity. The battery pack provides around two hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video playback, and the headset can also function while charging.

Performance and Hardware

Galaxy XR comes with 16GB RAM & 256GB storage, and advanced sensor technology, including six external tracking cameras, eye-tracking cameras, and a depth sensor for spatial awareness. Samsung also highlights iris recognition, allowing users to unlock the device and securely access apps.

For interaction, users can rely on hand and eye tracking, or opt for the new Galaxy XR Controllers, available separately for $250. These feature standard gaming inputs including analog sticks, triggers, and face buttons, enhancing control for both games and creative applications.

Audio, Connectivity, and Compatibility

The headset features a dual speaker setup with woofers and tweeters, supported by a six-microphone array capable of beamforming for clear voice capture. Audio playback supports a wide range of codecs including Dolby Atmos, FLAC, and Opus. Connectivity is powered by Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring strong performance across wireless networks.

Software and Ecosystem

At launch, Samsung showcased several supported apps such as Adobe Project Pulsar, Calm, NFL PRO ERA, and Vacation Simulator. Beyond entertainment, Android XR brings optimized versions of Google’s apps like Circle to Search, Google Maps, Google Photos and YouTube.

The integration of Google Gemini AI stands out, enabling users to interact naturally with their environment, from exploring 3D maps to asking contextual questions about nearby objects.

Samsung is also offering The Explorer Pack for early adopters, which includes a year of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Play Pass and access to exclusive XR content valued at over $1,000.

Positioning and Outlook

Priced at $1,800, Galaxy XR clearly targets professionals, creators, and tech enthusiasts rather than casual consumers. While the platform’s app library will take time to grow, the strategic collaboration with Google signals Samsung’s long-term commitment to developing a scalable XR ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy XR represents Samsung’s most serious attempt yet to establish a presence in the mixed reality landscape. It combines strong hardware, an open Android foundation, and meaningful AI integration - elements that could make it a cornerstone for future XR innovation.

While it may not immediately challenge Apple’s Vision Pro in market dominance, Galaxy XR delivers a more accessible and flexible alternative. More importantly, it reaffirms Samsung’s ambition to shape the post-smartphone era, where spatial computing and AI-driven experiences redefine how we interact with technology.