Samsung competes with Apple’s Vision Pro with the new Galaxy XR headset

After months of speculation, Samsung has finally unveiled the Galaxy XR headset to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro. The headset runs on Google’s Android XR operating system and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform.

The price of the Galaxy It is now available in the US and Korea. The headset provides up to two hours of general use and up to two and a half hours of video playback.

The headset’s micro OLED display has 27 million pixels, six million more than the Vision Pro, and a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840. It has a 90Hz refresh rate, compared to the Vision Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate. Galaxy XR features two HD pass-through cameras, six global tracking cameras, and four eye-tracking cameras.

The headset weighs 545 grams, while the latest Apple Vision Pro weighs around 750 grams to 800 grams.

“Through a combination of its shape, advanced materials, and structural optimization of every component, the Galaxy XR achieves the optimal balance between lightweight design and durability for everyday use,” Samsung wrote in a blog post. “The ergonomically balanced headphone frame distributes pressure across the forehead and back of the head, reducing facial discomfort while providing firm support.”

Samsung says the headset features several XR-optimized experiences, such as Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search, and Google Photos.

Users can ask Gemini to navigate to places on Google Maps while exploring the world in immersive 3D maps. On YouTube, users can ask Gemini to find content they want to watch and learn more about the video they’re watching. Users can also convert 2D images to 3D in photos.

In scrolling mode, users can see the physical world around them and draw a circle with their hands to search for information about anything in front of them.

Using the headset, users can multitask by opening multiple applications of any size, such as the browser, documents, and music application.

As for entertainment, users can stream content on the 4K micro OLED screen. Streaming services, including Crunchyroll, HBO Max, and Peacock, have reworked their apps for Android XR.

People who buy the Galaxy It also comes with a $1-per-month trial of YouTube TV for three months, access to the 2025-2026 season from NBA League Pass, and access to the NFL PRO ERA from Status Pro, Project Pulsar from Adobe, Asteroid, and Calm.

This move comes at a time when Apple revealed last week the latest version of the Vision Pro headset that runs on the M5 chip, replacing the current M2. The M5 chip improves screen display by 10%, and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz (up from 100Hz). The headset also features an additional 30 minutes of battery life compared to the previous model, amounting to two and a half hours of general use and three hours of video playback.