Samsung has launched the Galaxy XR, the inaugural headset powered by Google's Android XR platform, priced at $1,800. This mixed-reality device integrates advanced hardware and Gemini AI, marking a renewed push into virtual and augmented reality after past failures. Pre-orders are available now, with shipping to follow soon.
The Galaxy XR headset, previously known as Project Moohan and debuted at Google I/O earlier this year, represents Google's third major attempt at Android-based extended reality following the discontinued Cardboard and Daydream platforms in 2019, as well as Samsung's Gear VR effort that ended in 2017. It is the first and currently only device running Android XR, a platform built on Android and featuring Google's Gemini assistant for immersive experiences.
Hardware specifications include 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor with six CPU cores and an Adreno GPU supporting dual 4.3K displays. The headset features a pair of 3,552 x 3,840 Micro-OLED displays with a 109-degree field of view, refreshing at up to 90Hz but defaulting to 72Hz for power efficiency. It weighs 545 grams and offers two hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video playback via an external battery pack.
The device includes multiple cameras: two 6.5 MP stereoscopic units for passthrough video, six outward-facing for positioning and hand tracking, and four inward for eye-tracking and iris scanning to enable secure unlocking. Android XR provides an 'infinite screen' interface with 3D versions of Google apps like Maps, Photos, and YouTube, plus streaming, games, and experiences from partners such as Calm and Adobe. Gemini Live enhances interaction by analyzing surroundings through the headset's sensors and cameras, allowing queries about on-screen content or real-world objects.
Priced at $1,800 without controllers, optional wireless controllers cost $175 (discounted from $250), and corrective lenses add $99. Buyers receive one year of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass (valued at $370), three months of YouTube TV for $3, and access to the 2025–2026 NBA League Pass in the US. While more Android XR hardware is planned, the Galaxy XR stands alone for now in delivering this ecosystem.