Samsung just dropped a bombshell in the XR race. The company unveiled Galaxy XR today, marking its first major push into mixed reality with a headset that puts AI front and center. Built on the new Android XR platform developed with Google and Qualcomm, this isn't just another VR headset - it's Samsung's answer to Apple's Vision Pro, complete with Gemini AI baked right into the system.
Samsung just fired its biggest shot yet in the mixed reality wars. The Galaxy XR headset launches today as the company's first AI-native device, built from the ground up on a new Android XR platform that puts Google's Gemini AI at the very core of the experience.
"With Galaxy XR, Samsung is introducing a brand-new ecosystem of mobile devices," Samsung Mobile chief Won-Joon Choi told reporters during today's announcement. The timing couldn't be more strategic - this launch comes as Apple's Vision Pro struggles to find mainstream adoption despite its $3,499 price tag.
What makes Galaxy XR different isn't just the hardware specs, though those are impressive enough. The headset packs 4K Micro-OLED displays with 27 million pixels, powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip. But the real differentiator is how deeply Google's Gemini AI is woven into every interaction.
"Android XR is the first Android platform built entirely for the Gemini era," Google Android chief Sameer Samat explained. Unlike other headsets where AI feels like an add-on feature, Galaxy XR treats Gemini as a constant companion that sees what you see and hears what you hear.
The device weighs 545 grams with its forehead cushion, keeping the separate 302-gram battery pack off your head for better balance. That's significantly lighter than Apple's Vision Pro, which tips the scales at 650 grams. The ergonomic design distributes pressure across your forehead and back of your head, with a detachable light shield for different usage scenarios.
But it's the software integration that could give Samsung a real edge. All existing Android apps work out of the box on Galaxy XR, giving users immediate access to millions of familiar experiences. The platform supports OpenXR standards, making it easy for developers using Unity or WebXR to port their creations.
The AI integration shows up everywhere. In Google Maps, Gemini acts as your personal tour guide, offering suggestions as you explore 3D city models. On YouTube, you can ask Gemini to find specific content or explain what you're watching. The Circle to Search feature lets you draw circles around real-world objects in passthrough mode to instantly get information.
