Seoul: Priced at $1,799, the headset costs nearly half of Apple’s Vision Pro, signalling Samsung’s bold bid to redefine “computing-on-your-face” with the help of artificial intelligence.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the Galaxy XR marks the first major release in Samsung’s long-term partnership with Google and Qualcomm, combining advanced hardware with Google’s multimodal AI capabilities. The device lets users watch immersive YouTube videos, play interactive games, and explore photos while engaging seamlessly with their real-world surroundings. Through Google’s Gemini AI, the headset can recognize objects in the user’s view, offering real-time insights, directions, or information, a feature Apple’s Vision Pro has yet to match.
The launch represents the culmination of a decade-long effort. “We began studying extended reality 10 years ago,” said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President at Samsung’s mobile division. The project, codenamed “Moohan”, meaning “infinite” in Korean, was initiated around four years ago in collaboration with Google. The companies envision this as the first of a family of AI-powered devices, with lighter, eyeglass-style versions already in development alongside partnerships with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.
Customers purchasing the Galaxy XR this year will receive an exclusive bundle of services, including 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, and dedicated XR content. The headset runs on the newly introduced Android XR operating system, marking Samsung’s return to the face-mounted tech arena since its earlier Gear VR collaboration with Oculus, now part of Meta.
Meta continues to dominate the VR space with around 80% market share, while Apple has positioned its Vision Pro as a luxury device at nearly double Samsung’s price. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s io Products for $6.5 billion adds another heavyweight contender exploring hardware for the AI era.
Despite the excitement, analysts warn that the extended reality market remains niche. According to Gartner, the global head-mounted display market is projected to grow just 2.6% to $7.27 billion next year, with smartglasses driving most of the momentum. Counterpoint Research estimates that headset shipments may fall 20% year-on-year in 2025, reflecting an industry still seeking its breakout moment.
Samsung's Galaxy XR headset, priced at $1,799, challenges Apple's Vision Pro with advanced AI from Google. The device offers immersive experiences and real-time insights through Google’s Gemini AI, marking a significant step in Samsung's decade-long XR journey. This launch, part of a collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, aims to redefine face-mounted computing.