Samsung, in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, has launched the Galaxy XR, a standalone mixed-reality headset. Now available for pre-order in the United States and South Korea, the device operates on Google’s new Android XR platform to compete with existing hardware.
The headset is designed to run a wide range of Android applications directly from the Google Play Store, creating an immersive spatial environment for users. Standard apps such as Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, and Netflix can be utilized within this mixed-reality interface. This integration leverages Google’s established software ecosystem for the new hardware, positioning it as a comprehensive multimedia and productivity device.
The Galaxy XR features a 4K micro-OLED screen that provides a 100-degree horizontal field of view, suitable for both augmented and virtual reality experiences. Its design is described as lighter and sleeker than Apple’s Vision Pro, a factor intended to address the weight of competing devices. For user interaction, the headset incorporates support for eye tracking and hand tracking, utilizing numerous integrated sensors to enable natural control without requiring additional hardware.
Priced at $1,800, the Galaxy XR is positioned at less than half the cost of its primary market competitor. Early buyers who pre-order the device will receive “The Explorer Pack,” a bundle that provides access to multiple services for varying periods throughout 2025. This package includes:
- Services: Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, and YouTube TV.
- Entertainment: NBA League Pass and NFL Pro Era.
- Creative & Wellness: Adobe’s Project Pulsar, the game Asteroid, and the Calm app.
Samsung is also offering optional accessories for purchase through its website and Samsung Experience Stores. These include a Galaxy XR Controller and an official travel case, each priced at $250, with financing options available for the headset. Both Samsung and Google view the Galaxy XR as the foundational device for a future line of Android XR products, which includes plans for AI glasses and other innovations beyond the current headset form factor.
