Every part you might want to know

After dropping hints for over two years, Samsung, in partnership with Google, lastly revealed its first-ever Android prolonged actuality headset Tuesday night time. The brand new gadget, dubbed Galaxy XR, will run you $1,800 and you may truly buy it today.

On account of its collaboration with Google, it isn’t a shock that the headset comes absolutely geared up with Gemini AI inbuilt. “Android XR is the primary Android platform constructed fully for the Gemini period, and we’re extremely excited to take a major leap ahead in the present day with the launch of Galaxy XR,” Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, mentioned.

What are the options of the Galaxy XR headset, and the way does it differ from its major competitor, the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro? Glad you requested!

What’s the Galaxy XR?

The Samsung Galaxy XR is the first-ever Android XR headset, created by Google and Samsung. If Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional is the “digital actuality iPhone,” the Samsung is principally its “digital actuality Galaxy S cellphone” various. The headset appears to be like like a pair of snowboard goggles, nevertheless it comes with a whopping complete of 12 cameras and 6 microphones. And since it is 2025, AI is a giant a part of the Galaxy XR’s upsell: It has Google’s Gemini AI assistant inbuilt, so whilst you’re carrying the headset, it might probably see and listen to all the things round you.

Google’s “XR” designation stands for “prolonged actuality,” which is successfully an “all the above” time period encompassing augmented actuality (AR), digital actuality (VR) and combined actuality. Which means the Galaxy XR can put a digital overlay on the actual world (due to all these cameras), or it might probably utterly shut out your area to immerse you in a completely digital atmosphere. In different phrases, you possibly can customise your individual workspace or flip your room into your individual private theater, or you possibly can transport your self to a world locale with a first-person “you’re there” viewpoint.

What are you able to do with the Galaxy XR?

For watching movies on apps like YouTube, the headset provides a library of 180- and 360-degree VR content material. You too can watch motion pictures utilizing Google TV on a big, resizable display. Plus, you probably have a query about no matter you are watching, you possibly can ask Gemini because it sees all the things you see. And whenever you’re your photographs and movies, you possibly can convert them to 3D so it feels such as you’re again within the reminiscence.

Whereas utilizing Google Maps, you should use to go anyplace on the planet (nearly, after all). Visiting someplace historic? You may ask Gemini to let you know extra details about the landmark. Spot a weird-looking plant or bug round your own home? You should utilize Circle to Search to search out out what it’s whereas carrying the headset.

As for getting work executed effectively, you possibly can prepare your most-needed apps throughout your display — as an example, your internet browser, favourite music app, essential paperwork and video conferencing app. And if issues begin to really feel cluttered, you possibly can ask Gemini to prepare your home windows. Even higher, you possibly can hyperlink your PC to your headset, in addition to your keyboard and mouse.

The headset makes use of two passthrough cameras for real-time viewing, six world-facing monitoring cameras and 4 eye-tracking cameras, in addition to depth and flicker sensors. It additionally helps iris recognition so you possibly can unlock the gadget and enter passwords inside some apps.

What apps work on the Galaxy XR?

“Almost all” Google Play Store apps will probably be out there on the Galaxy XR headset. Which means lots of of hundreds of apps must be out there on the headset on day one, together with primary streaming apps (for watching issues like Netflix, HBO Max or Peacock on that enormous digital show) in addition to “new variations” of a few of Google’s key first-party software program, from Photographs to Chrome and YouTube. And, after all, the aforementioned Google Maps is on board, too.

As you’d count on, Google can also be specializing in gaming. Along with the total panoply of Android video games, the Galaxy XR’s PC Hyperlink additionally helps you to use it as a monitor for PC-based video games, too.

How does it really feel to put on the Galaxy XR?

Engadget’s Sam Rutherford acquired some hands-on time with the Galaxy XR just lately, and had some notable first impressions on its consolation and usefulness:

[I]t appears Samsung realized lots from its rivals by together with a a lot bigger and thicker head cushion that helps distribute the load of the headset extra evenly. Granted, throughout an extended session, I nonetheless observed a little bit of stress and felt reduction after taking off the Galaxy XR, nevertheless it’s nothing just like the Imaginative and prescient Professional, which in my expertise will get uncomfortable nearly instantly. Lastly, round again, there is a easy strap with a knob you could twist to tighten or loosen the scarf as vital. So even with out further help operating throughout the highest of your head, getting out and in of the Galaxy XR is way simpler and comfier than the Imaginative and prescient Professional.

How is the Galaxy XR totally different from the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional?

Whereas the headset could look fairly much like the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, there are some greater (and even higher) variations.

For starters, the Galaxy’s micro-OLED show has 29 million pixels, in comparison with Apple’s 23 million pixels, and a decision of three,552 x 3,840, which provides a tad extra element than Apple’s mannequin. Moreover, it has 96% of the DCI‑P3 coloration gamut, whereas the Imaginative and prescient Professional has 92%. Nonetheless, Apple’s headset beats out the Samsung on refresh fee, going a full 120Hz versus the Galaxy XR’s 90Hz.

Since you will be carrying it in your head for an prolonged interval, you will be relieved to know the Galaxy XR is a bit lighter than Apple’s XR headset by 205g (0.5lbs).

On the battery life entrance, Samsung is pledging as much as two hours of “basic use” and a pair of.5 hours of video playback, whereas the brand new M5 Imaginative and prescient Professional runs half-hour longer in each modes, per Apple.

In addition to the apparent working system variations, after all, the aforementioned worth delta is maybe the most important benefit Samsung has over the Apple mannequin: At $1,600, you will get nearly two full Galaxy XR items for each $3,499 Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.

How do I order the Samsung Galaxy XR?

You may order the Galaxy XR now through Samsung. Whereas that $1,800 price ticket is formidable, Samsung is providing financing choices. And the headset’s worth is definitely lower than that of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Z Fold 7 foldable cellphone. Key equipment just like the Journey Case and Galaxy XR Controller often price $250 every, although each could be bundled in for $175 apiece.

There are extra incentives, too. For anybody shopping for the Galaxy XR earlier than the top of the 12 months, Samsung is throwing within the “Explorer Pack” at no further cost. That features a 12 months’s value of Google AI Professional, YouTube Premium (together with YouTube Music) and Google Play Move; entry to the brand new season of NBA League Move; and entry to the NFL Professional Period sport, the Asteroid and Calm apps and Adobe’s Venture Pulsar, a 3D compositing app.