Samsung Electronics launched its Galaxy XR headset Tuesday at $1,799, undercutting Apple’s Vision Pro by nearly half while entering a market that has yet to prove viable for mass adoption. The device, developed with Google and Qualcomm Technologies, represents the first product running Android XR software.
The Korean electronics maker’s timing comes as Apple sold only about 420,000 Vision Pro units in its first year, far below initial expectations. Market research firm IDC reported Vision Pro sales remained under 100,000 units in the U.S. by mid-2024, raising questions about consumer appetite for premium headsets.
Samsung’s device weighs 545 grams with a separate battery pack and offers up to 2.5 hours of video playback—modest battery performance that may limit practical use. The headset features micro-OLED displays with 27 million pixels and integrates Google’s Gemini AI assistant for voice and gesture controls.
The company emphasized partnerships with streaming services including HBO Max and Peacock, alongside productivity tools from Adobe. Enterprise applications remain a focus, with Samsung citing shipbuilding training simulations as a use case.
Samsung said it will develop AI glasses with eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, though no timeline was provided. The Galaxy XR launches in the U.S. and Korea, with availability in other markets unspecified.
