Samsung’s Galaxy XR Mixed Reality Headset Launches Today, Priced at $1,800
Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm today announced the official release of the Galaxy XR, a mixed reality headset aiming to bridge the gap between high-end and mainstream XR devices. Available now in the US and South Korea for $1,800, the Galaxy XR offers a competitive price point significantly lower than Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro, while exceeding the cost of standard VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3. Financing options are available at $149 per month for 12 months.
The Galaxy XR utilizes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip and features pancake lenses to overlay virtual content onto the user’s real-world view. Input is primarily hand-tracking, with optional controllers available for separate purchase. The headset provides access to apps from the Google Play Store, with XR-optimized applications designated with a “Made for XR” label.
During a recent demo event in New York City, the device felt lighter than Apple’s Vision Pro due to its more plastic construction, though some demo units showed visible wear on the tethered battery pack.Testers reported a comfortable fit, though some experienced brow sweat after approximately 25 minutes of use. the headset’s battery life is rated at two hours, or 2.5 hours for video playback-comparable to the original Vision Pro, while Apple’s upcoming M5-powered version is expected to extend mixed-use battery life to 2.5 hours.
