Samsung’s $1,800 Galaxy XR Headset Is Here to Fight Apple’s Vision Pro

The Galaxy XR is a premium mixed-reality headset that, like the Apple Vision Pro, blends virtual reality (VR) with the real world (augmented reality, or AR). It features high-resolution passthrough cameras that let you see your surroundings in full color, allowing you to overlay apps, screens, and 3D objects onto your living room.

It's the first headset to run the new Android XR operating system, which is deeply integrated with Google's services, including Gemini AI, Google Maps, and YouTube.

Key Features and Specifications

Samsung is competing directly with Apple on specs, and in some areas, it even pulls ahead.

• Displays: It features dual 4K Micro-OLED displays (3552 x 3840 resolution per eye). This adds up to 27 million pixels, which is even more than the 23 million pixels in the Apple Vision Pro.
• Processor: It's powered by the new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset from Qualcomm, which is designed specifically for high-end XR experiences.
• AI Integration: Google's Gemini AI is built-in at the system level. This allows for natural, contextual interactions. You can look at a landmark while in a 3D Google Map and ask Gemini for its history or get real-time coaching in an XR game.
• Cameras & Sensors: The headset is loaded with sensors, including six world-facing tracking cameras, four eye-tracking cameras, and a depth sensor for precise spatial awareness and hand tracking.
• Weight & Design: At 545 grams, the headset is significantly lighter than the Apple Vision Pro (which weighs 750g or more). Like the Vision Pro, it uses an external, tethered battery pack to reduce the weight on your face.
• Battery Life: Samsung claims up to 2 hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video playback, which is very similar to its main competitor.
• Connectivity: It's future-proofed with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

The Big Showdown: Galaxy XR vs. Apple Vision Pro

This is the battle everyone is watching. Here’s how they stack up directly:

While the Vision Pro may have an edge in refresh rate and raw processing power with its M-series chip, the Galaxy XR wins on two critical points: weight and price.

Price and Availability

This is Samsung's most aggressive move. The Samsung Galaxy XR is priced at $1,799.99 USD.

This is almost half the $3,499 starting price of the Apple Vision Pro, making it a dramatically more accessible option for a premium XR experience.

The headset is available for purchase now (as of October 21, 2025) in the United States and South Korea on Samsung's official website and at Samsung Experience Stores. A wider global release is expected to follow.

Sources - news.samsung.com, androidcentral.com