Samsung Electronics has officially launched the Galaxy XR, a new extended reality (XR) headset co-developed with Google and Qualcomm, running on the dedicated Android XR operating system and deeply integrated with Gemini AI.
The device, unveiled on Tuesday aims to deliver a rich XR experience, featuring a minimalist, lightweight design for enhanced comfort, and will retail for US$1,799, or about 59,999 Thai baht.
The Galaxy XR marks Samsung’s debut product on the Android XR platform, a system built by Google specifically for spatial computing devices, intended to fully leverage the capabilities of Gemini AI. This launch represents a concerted effort to expand AI functionality beyond current smartphones into the immersive reality sector.
Collaboration with Qualcomm has also resulted in a custom-designed processor chipset optimised for XR applications.
The headset allows users to command and interact using voice, visuals, and gestures, with the onboard AI serving as an intelligent assistant. This assistant is reportedly capable of processing the user’s entire field of vision and auditory input to provide natural, context-aware responses. Key features powered by this integration include 3D navigation via Google Maps, the ‘Circle to Search’ function, and the spatialisation of 2D videos and photos into 3D content.
Addressing comfort, a primary concern for prolonged use, Samsung engineered the Galaxy XR to be light. The external battery pack is deliberately separated from the main headset unit to prevent strain. Weight distribution is managed by dedicated head and forehead support pads to reduce pressure on the face. The design also accommodates users who require prescription eyeglasses while operating the device.
On the display front, the Galaxy XR is equipped with dual micro-OLED panels, offering visual clarity approaching 8K quality. It supports refresh rates of 60Hz, 72Hz and 90Hz. Positional tracking and gesture recognition are handled by six dedicated inside-out tracking cameras, complemented by five depth sensors and five accelerometers/gyroscopes.
The processing core is the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, supported by the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU specifically for AI computations. It is configured with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, offering up to 2.5 hours of continuous use on a single charge. Users can access a wide variety of content platforms, including YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos, Maps, and XR-native applications like Adobe’s Project Pulsar for video editing.
In conjunction with the launch, Samsung is offering a promotional ‘Explorer Pack’ to early purchasers. This incentive package includes one year of free access to Google AI Pro, Google Play Pass, and Calm Premium, alongside a special introductory offer for YouTube TV at $1 per month for three months, plus complimentary access to the entire 2025-2026 NBA League Pass season.