Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy XR. Is this $1,799 Gemini-powered headset the Apple Vision Pro killer everyone’s been waiting for?

Samsung has launched the Galaxy XR headset for $1,799.99, the first device powered by Google’s Android XR operating system with day-one access to Android apps. It targets the same spatial computing space as Apple’s Vision Pro at a far lower price and is available in the US starting today. A bundle with controllers and a travel case costs an extra $249.99.

Samsung’s biggest push into extended reality

After teasing the project in early 2023, Samsung has finally taken the wraps off its most ambitious headset yet. Formerly known as Project Moohan, Galaxy XR builds on Samsung’s early experiments with Gear VR and the Windows Mixed Reality Odyssey line. This time, the company is aiming squarely at the high end with a device built for mixed and spatial computing rather than phone-powered VR.

Android XR and a ready-made app universe

Galaxy XR is the first headset running Android XR, Google’s new platform tailored for immersive devices. The headline advantage is simple and significant. Existing Android apps can run on the headset, giving Samsung a large software catalog on day one and sidestepping the classic chicken-and-egg problem that has slowed many new platforms.

Samsung and Google position Galaxy XR as an AI-native device designed for multimodal experiences. Expect tight links with Google’s foundation models and assistants, potentially including capabilities explored with Google’s Gemini AI to make spatial interfaces feel more natural and context aware.

Price and the inevitable Vision Pro comparison

Any discussion of Galaxy XR leads to Apple’s Vision Pro. Both devices aim to blend apps, media, and productivity tools with your surroundings. The stark difference is cost. Galaxy XR lands at $1,799.99, undercutting Apple’s headset by well over a thousand dollars. If you are invested in Apple’s ecosystem and want Apple-first software, the Apple Vision Pro remains a powerful option, though it is considerably pricier.

Functionally, Galaxy XR chases similar goals inside the Android ecosystem. Think of it like the early smartphone era all over again. The platforms differ in philosophy and polish, but the overlap in what you can do is growing fast.

Early impressions point to a strong debut

Hands-on reports have been upbeat. Some reviewers suggest Galaxy XR could steal the spotlight from Apple in practical daily use, particularly given its price and app compatibility. It is exactly the kind of momentum Samsung needs if mixed reality is going to break further into the mainstream.

Availability and what to buy

The Galaxy XR is available for purchase in the US today through Samsung’s site and major retailers, including the company’s official store on Amazon. Samsung is also dangling an Explorer Pack for early adopters who order before the end of 2025, with extras to help you get started. If you want the full kit with controllers and a travel case, budget an additional $249.99 on top of the headset price.

Recommended tech

For smooth spatial video streaming and large app downloads, you will want a fast, low-latency connection. Consider upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6E router like the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 to reduce congestion and improve performance across your home.

The bigger Samsung and Google strategy

Samsung frames this launch as the first step in a wider platform push. In its official announcement, the company calls Galaxy XR the beginning of the Android XR ecosystem with plans for multiple form factors beyond this initial headset. That signals a long-term bet where headsets, and eventually glasses and other wearables, share a common platform with deep AI integration. It is the kind of sustained commitment needed to compete with Apple and Meta over the next wave of personal computing.

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