Copyright 9to5Google
After previewing last December as Project Moohan, the Samsung Galaxy XR is now available as the first headset running Google’s new Android XR operating system. Android XR Google heavily emphasizes Gemini’s role in Android XR. In addition to hand (gestures) and eye input, voice can be used to navigate apps and the OS. In terms of first-party app support, Google Maps, Photos, TV, Meet, Chrome, and YouTube have been updated for Android XR. Google Maps offers an Immersive View to explore the world in 3D: “Walk the streets of Tokyo before you book a trip, soar over the Grand Canyon or even revisit your old neighborhood.” You can look at landmarks and ask “What’s the story behind this building?” to Gemini. Similarly, Circle to Search is available on both virtual and real-world (with passthrough) objects. On the entertainment front, Google Photos can add depth to your 2D photos and videos. YouTube is touted as having the “world’s largest library of immersive 180 and 360-degree VR content.” There’s also a new spatial tab to find 3D content. Meanwhile, Google TV provides a virtual theater environment. There are also streaming apps from HBO Max, Peacock, Crunchyroll, and more, as well as “immersive games” from Owlchemy Labs, Mirrorscape, and Resolution Games where Gemini can provide real-time coaching and tips. Advertisement - scroll for more content Whatever you’re viewing, Gemini can be invoked: For example, if you’re catching up on basketball highlights, you can just ask about the stats of a player on-screen. Gemini understands what you’re seeing and gets you the info in real time. There are also apps from Calm, Fox Sports, MLB, and more, with over 50 new XR experiences in total. This joins millions of phone and tablet apps from the Play Store. In terms of productivity, Google leans into how you can have multiple apps floating in space, including Chrome tabs. Google Meet offers video tiles that “you can expand to read expressions clearly.” Mice and keyboards can be paired to Galaxy XR, while there’s the ability to “link your PC for a complete desktop experience.” Adobe made an immersive video editing app called Project Pulsar, while TopHatch offers a sketching app with Concepts. Gemini here can be used to “organize these windows” when your space gets too cluttered. Galaxy XR Design-wise, Galaxy XR works to distribute pressure across the forehead (with a cushion) and back of your head where there is more padding. A knob at the back lets you adjust the fit. Thanks to the primarily plastic build, it weighs 545 grams before factoring the optional light shield that offers a more immersive experience, while the external battery pack is 302 grams (the connection point is on the left side). For comparison, the aluminum Vision Pro is 750–800 grams (and the battery is 353 grams), while the Meta Quest 3 is 515 grams. Galaxy XR is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There’s Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7. Battery life via the external pack comes in at 2 hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video watching. The 4K Micro-OLED panels are 3,552 x 3,840 with 27 million pixels and 96% DCI-P3. The default refresh rate is 72Hz with up to 90Hz available, while field of view comes in at 109 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical. The Interpupillary Distance (IPD) is 54-70mm, with support for optical inserts ((from Essilorluxottica/EyeBuyDirect.com) if you wear glasses. The Galaxy XR features the following cameras: two for “high-resolution” pass-through, six for world-facing tracking, and four for eye-tracking. There’s also the ability to take 3D photos and videos with the headset. Depth and flicker sensors are also leveraged, while iris recognition lets you unlock the device and authenticate passwords. On the audio front, there’s a six microphone array and two “2 Way speaker (Woofer + Tweeter).” The Samsung Galaxy XR costs $1,799.99 and is available in the US and Korea from samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores. There’s a $249.99 Galaxy XR Controller, with a Travel Case also the same price. You can also sign up for a demo in Samsung’s stores or select Google Stores in New York and California. Those that purchase the headset this year will get an “Explorer Pack” valued at over $1,000. It includes 12 months of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and Google Play Pass, as well as a 3-month subscription to YouTube TV for $3, 12-month subscription to NBA League Pass, and access to NFL PRO ERA, Project Pulsar from Adobe, Asteroid, and Calm.
