Samsung has introduced the Galaxy XR, a new extended reality headset developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm Technologies, as it had promised. The device is the first to be built on the new Android XR platform and is designed to integrate multimodal AI capabilities for immersive experiences.
The Galaxy XR features Google’s Gemini AI embedded at the system level. According to the company, this allows the headset to function as an AI assistant that understands the user’s surroundings and interacts through voice, vision, and hand gestures.
Platform and Ecosystem
The Android XR platform, co-developed by the three companies, is built on OpenXR standards and is intended to support various form factors, from headsets to future AI glasses. Samsung states that existing Android apps from the Google Play Store will work on the Galaxy XR, alongside new applications specifically designed for XR from partners like Adobe, Mirrorscape, and streaming services such as HBO Max and Peacock.
Reimagined Google apps, including Google Maps, YouTube, Google Photos, and Google Meet, are available on the device.
Design and Hardware
The Galaxy XR is engineered for comfort with an ergonomically balanced frame. A key design feature is a separate battery pack, which is not part of the headset itself, intended to make the main unit lighter. The device also includes a detachable light shield to block external light for deeper immersion.
Internally, the Galaxy XR is powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Platform. It features 4K Micro-OLED screens (3,552 x 3,840 resolution) with a 90Hz refresh rate. The hardware includes sensors for tracking head, hand, and eye movements, along with six world-facing tracking cameras and two high-resolution pass-through cameras.
The battery provides up to 2.5 hours of video playback or 2 hours of general use, and the device can be used while charging.
Core Experiences
Samsung highlighted several use cases for the Galaxy XR:
- Productivity: Users can create a large virtual workspace with multiple resizable app windows, including Chrome and creative apps like Adobe’s Project Pulsar for 3D video editing. The headset supports pairing with a keyboard and mouse or linking to a PC.
- Entertainment: The device can be used as a personal theater for streaming services or viewing 180 and 360-degree content on YouTube. For gaming, Gemini can be used to provide real-time coaching.
- Discovery: Google Maps allows users to explore locations in 3D Immersive View. Google Photos features “Media Auto Spatialization,” which converts existing 2D photos and videos into 3D. The Circle to Search function can be activated in pass-through mode, allowing users to circle a real-world or virtual object with their hand to get information.
Samsung Galaxy XR specifications
| Category | Specification |
| Memory & Storage | 16GB Memory 256GB Storage |
| Display | 3,552 x 3,840, 27 million pixels Micro-OLED 6.3‑micron pixel pitch 95% DCI‑P3 |
| Refresh Rates | 60Hz, 72Hz (Default), 90Hz (Up to, upon service request) |
| Field of View (FOV) | 109 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical |
| Chip | Snapdragon® XR2+ Gen 2 Platform |
| Camera | Supports 3D Photo & video capture 18mm / F2.0 6.5MP* (*Resolution may vary depending on use case) |
| Sensors | • Two High-resolution Pass-through cameras • Six World-facing tracking cameras • Four Eye-tracking Cameras • Five Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) • One Depth sensor • One Flicker sensor |
| Optic (Iris) | Supports iris recognition (for unlocking and passwords) |
| Audio | • Two, 2-Way speakers (Woofer + Tweeter) • Six Microphones array (with beamforming) |
| Audio Playback | Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/ AAC+/ eAAC+, Vorbis, FLAC, Opus, Dolby Digital (AC3), Dolby Digital Plus(E-AC3), Dolby ATMOS(E-AC3 JOC, AC4) |
| Video Playback | Resolution: UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) @ 60fps Support: HDR10 and HLG Codec: H.263, H.264, HEVC, MV-HEVC, MPEG-4, VC-1, VP8, VP9, AV1 |
| Battery | Up to 2 hours of general use Up to 2.5 hours of video watching Can be used while charging |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) BT 5.4 (Up to) |
| IPD | 54–70mm |
| Vision Correction | Supports vision correction through separately purchasable optical inserts. |
| Weight | Headset: 545g (with forehead cushion) Separate Battery: 302g |
Enterprise and Future Roadmap
Samsung also noted enterprise applications, such as virtual shipbuilding training with Samsung Heavy Industries. The company is utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Spaces technology to build an enterprise developer ecosystem.
As part of its long-term XR roadmap, Samsung confirmed it is developing AI glasses in collaboration with Google and lifestyle brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy XR is available starting today in the US and Korea for US 1,799 (Rs. 1,58,030 approx.) or USD 149 per month.
The Samsung Galaxy XR Travel Case and Galaxy XR Controller are priced at USD 249.99 (Rs. 21,955 approx.) each.
A limited-time “Explorer Pack” bundle is being offered at launch, which includes 12-month subscriptions to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass, as well as access to NBA League Pass (in the US) and several XR applications.