Samsung takes on Apple’s Vision Pro with new Galaxy XR headset

After months of speculation, finally Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy XR headset Take Apple’s Vision Pro. The headset runs on Google’s Android XR operating system and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform.

The Galaxy XR costs $1,800, which is about half the price of the Vision Pro. It is now available in the US and Korea. The headset offers up to two hours of normal use and two and a half hours of video playback.

The headset’s micro OLED display has 27 million pixels, 6 million more than the Vision Pro, and a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840. It has a 90Hz refresh rate compared to the Vision Pro’s 120Hz. The Galaxy XR has two high-resolution pass-through cameras, six world-facing tracking cameras and four eye-tracking cameras.

The headset weighs 545g, the latest Apple Vision Pro weighs around 750g-800g.

“By combining its shape, advanced materials and structural optimization of each component, the Galaxy XR achieves an optimal balance between lightweight design and robustness for everyday use,” Samsung wrote in a Blog post. “The headset’s ergonomically balanced frame distributes pressure across the forehead and back of the head, reducing facial discomfort while providing steady support.”

Samsung says the headset includes many experiences optimized for the XR, such as Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search and Google Photos.

Users can ask Gemini to navigate to places on Google Maps while exploring the world on an immersive 3D map. On YouTube, users can ask Gemini to find content they want to watch and learn more about the videos they’re watching. Users can convert 2D images to 3D in Photos.

In pass-through mode, users can see the physical world around them and draw a circle with their hand to search for information on anything in front of them.

With the headset, users can multitask by opening multiple apps in any form, such as their browser, document and music apps.

For entertainment, users can stream content on a 4K micro OLED screen. Streaming services including Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock have reworked their apps for Android XR

Those who buy the Galaxy XR before the end of the year will get an Explorer Pack with 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass. It also comes with a $1 per month trial of YouTube TV for three months, access to the 2025-2026 season of NBA League Pass and access to Project Pulsar, NFL PRO ERA by Status Pro from Adobe, Asteroid and Calm.

The move comes as Apple unveiled its latest version last week Vision Pro Headset That’s powered by an M5 chip, replacing the current M2. The M5 chip increases display rendering by 10% and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz (up from 100Hz). The headset has 30 minutes more battery life than the previous model, coming in at two and a half hours of normal use and three hours of video playback.