Samsung Galaxy XR Headset Details Leaked, Challenging Apple Vision Pro
Detailed specifications for Samsung’s upcoming virtual reality headset, internally known as “Project Moohan” and now believed to be launching as the Samsung Galaxy XR, have been leaked, revealing a high-end device poised to compete directly with Apple’s Vision Pro.
The Galaxy XR will feature 4K micro-OLED displays in each eye, positioning it as a premium offering above headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. Unlike the Vision Pro’s gesture-based control scheme, Samsung’s headset will include two handheld controllers similar to those used by Meta, alongside eye- and hand-tracking user interface technology reminiscent of Apple’s visionOS. The device is also reportedly lighter than the Vision Pro, weighing 545 grams compared to the Vision Pro’s 600 grams, and features substantial internal padding for improved comfort.
Battery life is estimated to be around two hours, mirroring the Vision Pro, and will require an external battery pack to achieve. The potential price point remains unknown, though speculation ranges from $1,700 to $2,900, significantly less than the Vision Pro’s $3,500 price tag. This competition could drive down costs and accelerate adoption of spatial computing technology. For more on the evolving landscape of virtual reality, see Road to VR.
Samsung has not yet announced a release date or official pricing for the Galaxy XR. Company representatives stated yesterday that further details will be released at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January.
If you’ve been eagerly anticipating Samsung’s Project Moohan VR headset, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is, we now (probably) know just about everything there is to know about its upcoming Vision Pro competitor. The bad news? We still have no idea when we’ll be able to use one for ourselves.
Thanks to a comprehensive leak from Android Headlines, we now know that “Project Moohan” is probably called the Samsung Galaxy XR in the official internal lingo. One thing that caught my eye about the Samsung Galaxy XR is that, unlike Apple’s Vision Pro, the headset will come with two controllers that look a lot like the ones Meta includes with its Quest 3 and 3S. Those will be coupled with an eye- and hand-tracking UI that operates like visionOS, the software inside Apple’s Vision Pro.
Leaks also suggest that the Samsung Galaxy XR headset will indeed use a 4K micro-OLED display in each eye, which definitely pits it against the Vision Pro in the display department and solidifies its place as a cut above cheaper headsets like the Quest 3 and 3s. One area that it may excel in, if leaks are to be believed, is that it’s a little bit lighter than the Vision Pro, clocking in at 545 grams as opposed to 600 grams. That’s not a groundbreaking amount of weight to shed, but any improvement on the Vision Pro-level heft is welcome in my book.
Oh, and it looks pretty comfortable too. There’s a lot of padding on the inside bits that rest on your forehead, which feels important if you’re planning to wear it for longer periods. One of my least favorite parts of the Vision Pro is how it really weighs on your face and neck, so any added support is huge. Speaking of wearing a headset for long periods, Android Headlines’ leaks suggest that the Samsung Galaxy XR has a battery life of around two-ish hours, which puts it on par with the Vision Pro. Unfortunately, it’ll take an external battery pack to get there, though, just like the Vision Pro.
There is one enormous detail that we don’t know yet, and that’s the price. Based on all of the almost-confirmed information we now have, I would imagine that this isn’t going to be a cheap headset. Will it be Vision Pro-level expensive? Hopefully not. I can’t think of too many people who would be excited to buy a $3,500 headset. That being said, rumors have suggested that it could land anywhere between $1,700 and $2,900. On either range, that’s a lot of money to pay for a headset, even if it’s as premium as leaks would suggest. Maybe Samsung will have more success selling Vision Pro-like hardware, but if I were a betting man, I’d bet that Project Moohan is going to be quite the project for Samsung indeed.
