Samsung's Galaxy XR—the first Android XR headset—launches as the most direct Vision Pro competitor yet. At $1,799, it undercuts Apple by $1,700 while delivering Google Gemini AI integration and full Android app support.
Driving the news: Samsung unveiled the Galaxy XR on October 21, 2025, debuting Android XR—a new platform built with Google. The headset integrates Gemini AI system-wide and runs native Android applications, a first for the XR space.
Why it matters: This opens a platform war. Apple's Vision Pro has dominated premium mixed reality, but Samsung's Android XR approach bets that openness and affordability will win developers and consumers. By leveraging Google's ecosystem at half Apple's price, Samsung could accelerate mainstream adoption.
By the numbers:
- Price: $1,799.99 vs. Vision Pro's $3,499
- Weight: 1.2 pounds (Galaxy XR) vs. 1.65–1.76 pounds (Vision Pro)
- Display: Dual Micro-OLED, 3,552 × 3,840 pixels per eye, 109° × 100° field of view
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB storage
The big picture: Samsung chose plastic over Apple's aluminum-glass construction—prioritizing comfort over premium materials. Vision Pro edges ahead on refresh rate (120 Hz vs. 90 Hz) and processing power, but the Galaxy XR's specs satisfy most users. The Android XR platform itself matters more—it's an open ecosystem giving developers a familiar environment with Google's backing, potentially accelerating app development like the early smartphone wars.
What's next: Available now through Samsung.com and U.S. Experience Stores. Watch developer adoption rates—if Android XR gains traction, expect competing headsets from other manufacturers by mid-2026. Samsung's betting that openness and affordability will outweigh Apple's ecosystem lock-in, making mixed reality finally feel accessible to American consumers beyond the early-adopter elite.
