Samsung debuts its Apple Vision Pro rival
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Samsung's Galaxy XR. Image: Samsung
Samsung on Tuesday announced Galaxy XR, a $1,799 Android-based headset designed to compete with Apple's Vision Pro.
Why it matters: The device is a fresh bet that virtual reality will stage a comeback after years of failing to break into the mainstream.
Driving the news: The device — powered by Qualcomm's XR2+ Gen 2 chip — lasts roughly 2.5 hours at a time before needing to be charged, per Samsung. A travel case and controller are sold separately for $249 each.
- The Galaxy XR will be available in the U.S. and Korea, starting today, Samsung said.
- Samsung introduced the device, previously known by the codename Project Moohan, via a live-streamed event.
What they're saying: Both Google and Samsung played up AI and the integration of the Gemini assistant as a key selling point.
- "Galaxy XR expands the vision for mobile AI into a new frontier of immersive and meaningful possibilities," Won-Joon Choi, COO of mobile experience for Samsung Electronics, said in a statement.
- "Android XR is the first Android platform built entirely for the Gemini era, and we are incredibly excited to take a significant leap forward today with the launch of Galaxy XR", Android president Sameer Samat said in a statement.
Yes, but: Apple has struggled to find a significant market for Vision Pro and it's unclear that the addition of AI features will significantly change the equation, although the comparatively lower price of Samsung's headset may help.
What's next: Samsung and Google have both said that this is the first in a family of Android XR devices, with augmented reality glasses also in the works, but not expected until next year.
- Google demonstrated prototypes of both Project Moohan and Android XR-based glasses at the TED conference and at its I/O developer conference this year.
