Samsung Galaxy XR Headset to Launch October 21 with Included Controllers
Samsung’s highly anticipated extended reality headset, now officially named Galaxy XR, will launch on October 21 and will include tracked controllers in the box, according to newly leaked information.
The Galaxy XR will run Google’s Android XR operating system and feature a robust sensor suite including six tracking cameras, two color passthrough cameras, a depth sensor, and four internal eye tracking cameras. This configuration allows for both traditional controller-based interaction and hand tracking, potentially enabling users to interact with virtual environments without additional hardware. The headset is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset, the same processor found in the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S.
Leaked marketing materials reveal the headset’s design and confirm its ability to wirelessly stream and play SteamVR games via a sideloadable Steam Link VR APK for Android. Samsung has also integrated 3D capture functionality into recent Galaxy phone updates, allowing users to create content specifically for viewing on the Galaxy XR, similar to Apple’s ecosystem for the Vision Pro. The device is expected to be priced between $1800 and $3000, positioning it as a premium competitor in the emerging XR market. This launch is significant as it represents the first major hardware release utilizing Google’s new Android XR platform.
Initial reports suggest the launch will be limited to South Korea, with wider availability to be determined. Samsung officials have stated the headset will feature “state-of-the-art displays” and a tethered battery pack, but have not yet commented on the October 21 release date or pricing details.
Samsung ‘Galaxy XR’ will include tracked controllers in the box, Android Headlines reports.
Valve recently made the Steam Link VR APK available for sideloading on any Android-based VR headset, so if the report’s claim is accurate, it’s likely that Galaxy XR will be able to wirelessly stream and play SteamVR games from your PC at launch.
Samsung confirmed to UploadVR that it was working on controllers when we first tried the headset back in December, but the company hasn’t yet officially announced whether they’ll be included or a separate purchase.
The Android Headlines report includes a leaked marketing render of the controllers (above), which it claims are included, as well as dozens of renders of the headset from almost every possible angle.
The sensor suite of Samsung Galaxy XR.
Of course, we’ve already seen the headset itself in many photos and videos, as it’s been shown off at multiple tech conferences throughout the year. But one thing the leaked renders make very clear is exactly how many image sensors the headset has.
Galaxy XR seemingly features 6 tracking cameras, 2 color passthrough cameras, a depth sensor, and 4 internal eye tracking cameras.
Of those 6 tracking cameras, 4 are on the front (in a similar position as Quest 2 or PlayStation VR2), while the other 2 are downwards-facing on the bottom (like Apple Vision Pro). That means it should be able to pick up hand gestures while your arms are at rest, but potentially not at very wide angles.
While Samsung still refers to the headset as ‘Project Moohan’, Android Headlines reports that the product will be called Samsung Galaxy XR, a name which was spotted in a new 3D capture setting for Galaxy phones that started rolling out last month.
Samsung Phones Now Capture 3D Videos For ‘Galaxy XR Headsets’
Flagship Samsung phones can soon capture 3D photos and videos to view on “Galaxy XR headsets”, just like iPhones can for Apple Vision Pro.
Officially, Samsung has only said that the headset will run Google’s new Android XR operating system, feature hand tracking, eye tracking, and “state-of-the-art displays”, leverage an included tethered battery pack, and be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, a higher-end variant of the chipset in Quest 3 and Quest 3S which has already shipped in Play For Dream MR.
Back in March, South Korean news outlet The Elec reported that the headset will use Sony’s new 1.35-inch 3552×3840 micro-OLED display, with slightly higher resolution and wider color gamut than the one in Apple Vision Pro.
In August another outlet, Newsworks, reported that Samsung is targeting a price somewhere between 2.5 million and 4 million South Korean won, around $1800 to $3000. That compares to 5 million won for Apple Vision Pro, which has been sold in South Korea since November last year.
Samsung Android XR Headset Launch Date Reportedly Leaked
South Korean news outlet ETNews claims to know the date Samsung will launch its Android XR headset.
Three weeks ago, ETNews released a report claiming that Samsung will officially reveal the headset’s name and specifications and start selling it on October 21, just under two weeks from now.
Reports from other South Korean outlets suggest that the headset might release in Samsung’s home country only at first, and all signs point to a very limited launch for the device that will debut Google’s Android XR.
