Katarzyna Petru
4K micro-OLED, Android XR, and Gemini on board. Has Samsung just started a revolution in augmented reality?
Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy XR – its first augmented reality glasses created in collaboration with Google. The device costs $1800, which is almost half the price of the Apple Vision Pro ($3500), but offers similarly advanced technology. On the other hand, it's still significantly more than the cost of popular Meta Quest headsets – and not without reason.
The Galaxy XR uses 4K micro-OLED panels with a resolution of 3552×3840 per eye, instead of the cheap LCDs known from the Quest. In total, this provides over 27 million pixels and a density of about 3800 ppi – more than Apple (23 million). This could be a breakthrough, especially if it’s confirmed that the panels come from Samsung Display.
Premium Picture and Sound
Samsung declares support for HDR10 and HLG, coverage of 95% DCI-P3, as well as decoding 8K60 materials. There is also Dolby Atmos, though without Dolby Vision. The refresh rate is 60 or 72 Hz (default), with a 90 Hz mode available “on service request” – whatever that means.
It features six beamforming microphones, bidirectional speakers (woofer + tweeter), and passthrough cameras and eye tracking. The headset also supports iris recognition, allowing you to unlock the device and log into applications with your eyes.
Android XR and Gemini – the new tandem of Google and Samsung
Galaxy XR is the first device on the Android XR platform, specifically prepared by Google for the Gemini era.
– “Android XR is the first version of Android created entirely with the Gemini era in mind” – said Sameer Samat, head of the Android ecosystem at Google. – “Together with Samsung, we are creating an open and unified platform for a new generation of spatial computers.”
The Gemini AI assistant operates contextually – “it sees and hears what the user does.” For example, one can highlight an object in passthrough mode to immediately receive information about it, or ask Gemini for recommendations or environmental analysis.
What about the applications?
All the existing Android mobile applications work on a virtual screen, but to fully utilize the capabilities, XR-native applications will be needed – created in OpenXR, WebXR, or Unity. At the start, there will be over 50 new XR experiences available (Adobe, Calm, Fox Sports, MLB, YouTube 180°/360°).
For now, however, Google and Samsung are mainly focusing on the integration of Gemini, a search engine and shopping in augmented reality – which raises some questions about whether Android XR is ready for more than just a demo of its capabilities.
External Battery and Ergonomics
Galaxy XR weighs 545 g (with the front cushion), and the external battery adds another 302 g. The latter provides up to 2.5 hours of video viewing, so watching "The Lord of the Rings" is rather out of the question without a cable. However, the device can be used while charging.
The premiere of Galaxy XR will take place on October 31 in the USA and South Korea. The 256 GB version is the only configuration available at launch.
Samsung Galaxy XR – Technical Specification
Category | Parameters |
|---|---|
Price | 1800 USD |
Memory | 16 GB RAM |
Internal Storage | 256 GB |
Screen | Micro-OLED, 3552 × 3840 (per eye), 27 million pixels, 6.3 μm pixel pitch |
Color Coverage | 95% DCI-P3 |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz / 72 Hz (default) / 90 Hz (after "service request") |
Field of View (FOV) | 109° horizontal / 100° vertical |
Chipset | Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 |
Camera | 6.5 MP (F2.0, 18 mm), 3D photo & video recording |
Sensors | 2 passthrough cameras, 6 tracking, 4 eye-tracking, 5 IMU, 1 depth, 1 flicker |
Biometrics | Iris recognition (unlocking, logging in) |
Audio | 2-way speakers (Woofer + Tweeter), 6 microphones with beamforming |
Audio/Video Support | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, 8K @ 60fps, HDR10, HLG, AV1, MV-HEVC |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 be), Bluetooth 5.4 |
IPD | 54–70 mm |
Vision Correction | Yes – via interchangeable optical inserts (sold separately) |
Battery | 2 h usage / 2.5 h video / capability to charge during use |
Weight | 545 g (headset) + 302 g (battery) |
System | Android XR with Gemini Assistant |
Summary
The Samsung Galaxy XR is the first device in years that could genuinely challenge the Apple Vision Pro—not in price, but in technology. Excellent micro-OLED screens, a powerful set of cameras, integration with Android XR and Gemini make it the first "mobile" player in the world of spatial computing.
Will 2.5 hours of battery life and lower refresh rates ruin the effect? We will find out after the premiere.
