Samsung and Google officially unveil the Galaxy XR — an AI-powered mixed-reality headset built with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip and Google’s Gemini AI. Priced at only $1,800, the Galaxy XR is positioned as a direct challenge to Apple’s Vision Pro, redefining the next era of wearable computing.
More than 17 years after the iPhone launched the modern smartphone era, the world’s tech giants are once again chasing the next big breakthrough — a device that could succeed the smartphone itself.
This time, Samsung has stepped boldly into the arena with the Galaxy XR, a mixed-reality headset developed in partnership with Google and Qualcomm.
Announced on October 22, 2025, the Galaxy XR will retail for $1,799, roughly half the price of Apple’s Vision Pro. The lower price, combined with advanced AI integration, positions Samsung and Google as strong contenders in the race to make spatial computing more mainstream.
The Galaxy XR runs on Android XR, a platform co-developed by Samsung and Google. Its design features a curved glass front, metal frame, and an external battery pack connected via cable — visually reminiscent of Apple’s Vision Pro.
Inside, users get dual 4K micro-OLED displays, along with eye-, head-, and hand-tracking sensors, allowing intuitive control through gestures, voice, or a hybrid of both.
The Galaxy XR’s defining feature is its integration with Gemini, Google’s advanced AI assistant, which sits at the heart of the entire XR experience.
With Gemini, users can:
Control apps and organize virtual windows using natural speech commands.
Explore landmarks in Google Maps and get contextual insights directly in view.
Generate creative videos using Veo, Google’s AI video generator akin to OpenAI’s Sora.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, the Galaxy XR delivers smoother graphics and faster response times, enabling a fluid and immersive experience even for complex AI interactions.
Samsung and Google are positioning the Galaxy XR not merely as a headset, but as a precursor to AI-powered smart glasses — a category they are developing alongside fashion eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.
These upcoming devices are expected to be lighter, sleeker, and fashion-forward, bringing Gemini’s intelligence into a more natural and wearable form factor.
Google first teased prototypes at its I/O 2025 developer conference, though no release date has been confirmed. Still, the unveiling of the Galaxy XR shows that the AI glasses revolution may be closer than ever.
At first glance, the Galaxy XR could easily be mistaken for the Vision Pro — from its curved glass to metallic trim. But beneath the surface lies a vastly different philosophy.
Apple’s Vision Pro emphasizes ultra-premium design and a closed ecosystem centered on entertainment and productivity.
Samsung’s Galaxy XR, by contrast, focuses on an open platform built on Android XR, enabling cross-brand development and broader ecosystem adoption.
Crucially, the Galaxy XR’s integration of generative AI (Gemini) sets it apart — something the Vision Pro notably lacks.
“Samsung and Google are not just adding AI — they’re making it the foundation of the entire experience,”
said a technology analyst at Reuters Tech Forum.
Despite the excitement, Samsung and Google face steep challenges.
• Limited market adoption: Mixed-reality headsets remain niche. While Apple sells over 200 million iPhones annually, Meta has sold only about 2 million pairs of its Ray-Ban AI glasses in two years.
• Content scarcity: For mass adoption, the XR ecosystem needs richer content — from apps to entertainment experiences optimized for immersive environments.
• Privacy concerns: Because Gemini runs in the cloud, users must grant Google access to process what they see and do inside the headset. This could raise significant privacy debates, especially compared to Apple’s more privacy-focused AI architecture.
Still, with competitive pricing, open ecosystem development, and advanced AI features, the Galaxy XR could redefine the conversation around wearable computing.
The Galaxy XR’s debut represents more than a new gadget — it’s a strategic statement from Samsung and Google:
“The next generation of computing won’t live in your pocket — it’ll live right before your eyes.”
By combining hardware innovation from Samsung, AI intelligence from Google, and processing power from Qualcomm, the Galaxy XR lays the foundation for a new standard in extended reality.
If successful, this collaboration could shift the balance of power away from Apple, reigniting competition in a sector that’s been stagnant since the early metaverse hype faded.
Over the next few years, we may see AI, XR, and wearable tech converge — transforming how humans work, learn, and interact with digital content.
With the Galaxy XR, Samsung and Google have reignited the race toward the next generation of wearable computing.
While obstacles remain — from market adoption to privacy and content availability — the headset’s combination of advanced AI, powerful hardware, and competitive pricing makes it one of the most ambitious XR products ever launched.
If the Vision Pro represents luxury, then the Galaxy XR could represent accessibility — bringing extended reality and AI-powered interaction closer to the mainstream.
The future of computing, it seems, is no longer something we hold — it’s something we wear.
Q1: What is the Galaxy XR and how much does it cost?
The Galaxy XR is Samsung’s new mixed-reality headset, co-developed with Google and Qualcomm. It’s priced at $1,799, roughly half the cost of Apple’s Vision Pro.
Q2: How is the Galaxy XR different from Apple’s Vision Pro?
Unlike the Vision Pro, which runs on Apple’s closed system, the Galaxy XR operates on Android XR and integrates Google’s Gemini AI, enabling voice- and gesture-based controls, as well as AI-generated content.
Q3: Can the Galaxy XR replace smartphones?
Not yet. XR devices remain niche products mainly for entertainment, creativity, and productivity. However, they serve as a crucial stepping stone toward the future of AI glasses that may one day replace smartphones.
Q4: When will Samsung and Google release their AI glasses?
No official date has been announced, but analysts predict a launch window around late 2026, coinciding with Apple’s rumored debut of its own AI-powered glasses.
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